We propose the development of an interactive, school-based multimedia alcohol and drug prevention education program called Next Edition. The proposed program will be designed for early adolescents ages 12-14, corresponding to the peak years of drug use initiation. Through the use of an interactive CD-ROM incorporating engaging video, audio, and graphic features, education material will be delivered through a newsroom format where students are recruited to investigate and report on different aspects of drugs and alcohol. Utilizing empirically-sound prevention strategies, Next Edition will offer four 45-50 minute sessions corresponding to three central modules: 1) Alcohol, 2) Marijuana, 3) Other Drugs. The modules will include: 1) a risk assessment with tailored feedback; 2) basic knowledge tests; 3) media literacy awareness exercises; 4) personally relevant education about the physical and psychological effects of alcohol and drugs; and 5) skill building activities to resist use. A companion informational website for students, teachers, and parents will also be included. While the program is intended to be offered in schools, the flexible, self-contained design of the program will allow it to be readily used in other settings (e.g., primary care offices, youth centers). If such a program demonstrated effectiveness in reducing risk behaviors and intent to use alcohol and/or drugs over traditional education approaches, school administrators and health educators would likely view it as a desirable and cost-effective way to offer education and prevention information to middle and junior high school students.
This project is very promising. There are currently 12 million students in the target age range (middle and junior high school) for Next Edition [NCES,1999]. Simultaneously, the issue of alcohol and drug prevention in this age group has become a focus of national concern, since youth are most vulnerable to initiating use during these early adolescent years. Yet, few empirically-based, time-effective multimedia prevention programs geared toward early adolescents are available. If we were able to obtain only a small fraction of the middle and junior high schools in this country as customers, the revenues would be substantial.
