Text: Drug Abuse Prevention Programs Recognized

17 May 2001

Text: Drug Abuse Prevention Programs Recognized

U.S. agency salutes 20 model programs

A U.S. government drug abuse prevention agency recognized 20 community programs from around the nation for their successes in preventing and reducing illegal drug and alcohol abuse. In a May 17 news release, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) designated these programs as models that should be followed by other communities seeking to address substance abuse problems.

The Center for Substance Prevention (CSAP), a component of (SAMHSA), conducted a review of more than 200 prevention programs in selecting these "science-based" models as recipients of a government seal of approval.

The model programs cited by CSAP take a variety of approaches. Some programs target at-risk youth, and assist in building character and avoiding risky behavior. Others engage whole families in therapy to correct problem behavior in children, and to improve family communication and functioning. Yet another approach pairs nurses with young, pregnant mothers to improve infant health and parenting skills with the goal of preventing problems in later years.

Following is the text of the SAMSHA press release:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

May 17, 2001

Government "Seal of Approval" Awarded to 20 Substance Abuse Prevention Programs

Continuing its efforts to assist communities across the nation in combating substance abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) today announced the names of 20 "model" substance abuse prevention programs that are preventing and reducing illegal drug and alcohol abuse in communities across America.

These "model" programs, selected this past year after a rigorous scientific review of more than 200 prevention programs, are part of CSAP's ongoing efforts to identify and disseminate information nationwide about science-based prevention programs that have consistently demonstrated beneficial results.

"Our investment has shown that substance abuse prevention is possible and that models of excellence are available," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "The federal "seal of approval" we award today is a message to communities that they should insist upon and work toward the same level of excellence in substance abuse prevention. As a nation, we can settle for no less."

"In our struggle against substance abuse, we must have all effective tools in demand reduction and prevention at our disposal to further our efforts with youth, their families, schools, communities and faith institutions to reduce risk and enhance protection," said US Congressman Tom Davis (Virginia -- 11th District)

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Acting Director Edward H. Jurith stated, "We congratulate the winners of the 2000 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Awards. These model programs demonstrate that by enhancing protective factors, many youth can overcome exposure to risk and we can protect our children from initiating drug use. The adoption of effective drug abuse prevention programs by communities nationwide will significantly reduce the toll of drug abuse and addiction on our society."

"Families, clergy, teachers, and community leaders should insist upon and work toward the same level of excellence in substance abuse prevention in their communities," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Joseph H. Autry III, M.D. "We are working with Congress to provide the funds and building partnerships with organizations like the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and the National Prevention Network to encourage adaptation and implementation of model programs in communities across the nation."

"These programs provide us with concrete results that prevention works. We applaud the model programs' commitment to the development of effective substance abuse prevention programs," said CSAP Director, Ruth Sanchez-Way Ph.D. "We are proud to honor their efforts and we are inspired by the life-changing impact that these programs have had on so many communities, families and individuals."

"I am pleased to note how many governors are embracing and supporting the application of these model prevention programs in their communities, towns, and school districts. I believe, without a doubt, that this is due in large part to the efforts of CSAP's State Incentive Grant Program, which provides governors the resources and technical support needed to reach communities." said Lewis E. Gallant, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.

Today's announcement brings to 39 the total number of programs that CSAP has selected as model programs and placed in its National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs (NREPP). CSAP's National Dissemination System identifies model programs, provides training and technical assistance, and works with States, localities and the private sector to ensure effective implementation.

Model programs represent a range of demographic, ethnic and cultural concerns, as well as geographic areas. The model programs announced today are:

-- All Stars (Greensboro, NC): All Stars is a character development and problem behavior prevention program for youth between the ages of 11 and 15. All Stars significantly increased students' personal commitment to avoid participating in high-risk behaviors, and increased bonding with school and family.

-- Brief Strategic Family Therapy (Miami, FL): This is a family-based intervention program aimed at preventing and treating child and adolescent conduct problems and substance use. This program has succeeded in reducing emotional and behavioral problems in children, reducing drug use, and improving family functioning in children.

-- Bullying Prevention (Bergen, Norway): This program is designed to reduce bullying by students in elementary, middle and junior high schools. This program has shown reductions of 50 percent in bullying incidents and reductions in students' reports of anti-social behavior such as vandalism, fighting, theft and truancy.

-- Community Trials Project (Berkeley, CA): This is a comprehensive environmental intervention program. It's goal is to reduce alcohol-involved injuries and death. This project has reduced alcohol-involved traffic crashes, reduced sales of alcohol to minors, and increased implementation of responsible beverage service policies by bars and restaurants.

-- Coping Power (Tuscaloosa, AL): This is a substance abuse prevention program for children who are 9 years old. The program has a basic intervention for all participants and a targeted intervention for aggressive children. Both interventions produced changes in aspects of children's social competence and their self-regulation and parents' approach to discipline and involvement.

-- Early Risers "Skills for Success" (Minneapolis, MN): This is a substance abuse program designed for high-risk elementary school children between the ages of 6 and 8 years old. Early Risers significantly increased children' social skills, achievement, parent involvement and reduced impulsive behaviors.

-- Fairfax Leadership and Resiliency (Fairfax, VA): This program is an intensive substance abuse and violence prevention program for adolescents in mainstream or alternative high school settings. The program has reduced school absences and school disciplinary reports. Students involved in the program showed a full point increase in grade point average and a 100 percent graduation rate.

-- Family Effectiveness Training (Miami, FL): This is a preventive intervention program for use with Hispanic families of adolescents who are at risk for future drug abuse. Families in this program showed significantly greater improvement than families in the control group on independent measures of family functioning and problem behaviors as reported by parents.

-- The Incredible Years Series (Seattle, WA): This is a prevention program for parents of children aged 3 to 10 years. The series has been researched and field tested with more than 600 families. Results indicate that parents were able to reduce significantly children's behavior problems and to increase their pro-social behavior.

-- Multisystemic Therapy (Charleston, SC): This is a family and community based treatment program for youth 12 to 17 years of age. Evaluations of this program reveal demonstrated reductions of 25 percent to 75 percent in long-term rates of re-arrest for serious juvenile offenders.

-- Nurse-Family Partnership (Denver, CO): This is an intensive, comprehensive home visitation program for low-income, at-risk pregnant women bearing their first child. Key highlights of the major findings on maternal and child outcomes include 25 percent reductions in cigarette smoking during pregnancy and a 79 percent reduction in rates of child maltreatment among at-risk families from birth through the child's 15th year.

-- Positive Action (Twin Falls, ID): This program focuses on children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade and is geared toward decreasing negative behaviors, including substance abuse. Results have included demonstrated improvements in academic achievement scores and decreased drug use, violence, crime and school suspensions.

-- Preparing for the Drug-Free Years (Seattle, WA): This is a family intervention program for parents of children in grades 4 through 8. This skill-based curriculum helps parents address risks that can contribute to drug abuse while strengthening family bonding by building protective factors.

-- Project ACHIEVE (Tampa, FL): This is an educational reform program targeting academically and socially at-risk students in pre-kindergarten through middle school. This program decreased disciplinary referrals to the principal's office, increased the number of students scoring above the 50th percentile on end-of-the-year achievement tests, and improved teachers' perception of the school climate.

-- Project SUCCESS (Tarrytown, NY): This is a substance abuse prevention program for high-risk youth aged 15 to 19. Program participants showed decreases in drug problem behaviors, indirect peer pressure, and frequency and quantity of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

-- Project Towards No Drug Use (Los Angeles, CA): This is a drug abuse prevention program for youth in alternative high schools who are at higher-than-average risk for drug abuse. This project succeeded in reducing levels of alcohol use by at least 20 percent, and reducing all levels of illegal drug use by an average of 60 percent.

-- SAFE Children Project (Chicago, IL): This is a family-focused prevention program for families with children ages 6 through 8. This program demonstrated greater use of effective parenting practices, improved family relationships, and increased parental involvement in schools, as well as greater academic achievement.

-- Skills, Opportunity, And Recognition (SOAR) (Seattle, WA): This is a prevention program that has been tested in elementary schools serving children from high crime urban areas. Designed to reduce risks for delinquency and drug abuse, this program has shown reductions in anti-social behavior, self-destructive behavior, violent delinquent acts and pregnancy among the participants.

-- The Social-Competence Promotion Program for Young Adolescents (Chicago, IL): This is a highly structured training program for 6th and 7th grade students, designed to improve their problem-solving skills and social behavior. Students showed significant improvements on measures of problem-solving ability and stress management.

-- STARS for Families (Jacksonville, FL): This is a health promotion program for preventing alcohol use among middle and junior high school youth. Students in the program showed significantly less initiation of alcohol use and less drinking compared to students not participating in the program.

Eight "promising programs" that show potential for make a measurable, sustained impact on illegal drug and alcohol abuse will also be recognized. These program are: Genesis I, a pioneering substance abuse prevention program in New York City, NY; College Dreams, a school-linked program promoting skills building, based in Grants Pass, OR; Project Blanket, a program that offers substance abuse prevention services to Allegheny County Jail inmates in Pittsburgh, PA; Parents are Teachers, a program designed to decrease risk factors such as mental health problems and domestic violence among immigrants and refugees in Pawtucket, RI; Smart Moves, a Fort Worth, TX skills mastery program that reaches more than 4,200 high-risk youth; San Antonio Fighting Back, a community partnership program to reduce substance abuse in San Antonio, TX; Prevention Dimensions, a life skills program based in Salt Lake City, UT; and the Positive Options Program, a Madison, WI program designed to increase alcohol and drug awareness.

Experts from all of the programs are available for interviews.

Fact sheets about the model programs can be obtained by phone at 1-877-773-8546, e-mail at [email protected], or through the Internet at: www.samhsa.gov/csap/modelprograms.

CSAP, in collaboration with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, the National Prevention Network, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America will also honor the 20 model programs, along with eight "promising programs," at an Awards Ceremony, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17 in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza, 14th and K Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

CSAP is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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