SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS

This article presents short-term results of a programme aimed at preventing substance abuse in girls with and without psychosocial problems. The programme employed is a modified version of Botvin and colleagues' Life Skills Training; it was administered over a 2-year period, in two phases. Each phrase consisted of workshops pertaining to the development of personal and social skills. Added to the original programme was a token economy whereby positive reinforcements were given for participation in the programme both during the workshops and for homework completed. A total of 71 girls between the ages 11 and 12 years participated in the programme when they were in fifth and sixth grades. A total of 27 girls served as a control group, i.e. they were evaluated at pre- and post-test but did not participate in the programme. Some of the girls in each group had psychosocial problems (i.e. behavioural difficulties, peer rejection), whereas some of the girls in each group did not. The results showed that the prevention programme influenced knowledge regarding cigarettes, attitudes towards cigarettes and marijuana, as well as use of alcohol and marijuana. These positive results were evident for girls with and without behavioural problems. The advantages and limits of this type of prevention programme are highlighted.