Existing high school drug abuse prevention programs primarily target youths who already have defined drug use problems. Effective research-based prevention programs that target a universal audience are not yet widely available. This Phase II project will continue the development of All Stars, Sr., a program to improve mediating processes important to late onset prevention and self-initiated cessation. Mediators targeted include: lifestyle incongruence, normative beliefs about the prevalence and acceptability of drugs, commitment to avoid high-risk behaviors, resistance skills, beliefs about social and psychological consequences, goal setting, decision making, and stress management skills. The program is designed to augment (rather than replace) existing high school health textbooks. Materials consist of a teacherts guide containing detailed lessons and a student wellness journal. Results from Phase I support the approach taken and provide a guide for program modification and improvement. During Phase II, additional written activities and new online teacher and student materials will be developed. A randomized field trial will be conducted. Health teachers in twenty schools will be assigned to either treatment or control conditions. Students will be measured at four points in time over a two-year period to assess changes in mediators and the prevalence and frequency of substance use.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Drug use continues to be a serious problem in the country. The US Department of Education is expected to increase funding for effective prevention programs during the coming years. We are increasingly being asked to provide follow-up sessions for the middle school All Stars programs. There is a relative lack of universal prevention programming available for high schools. The increasing need and lack of viable alternatives suggests this project will result in a product that will have excellent market potential.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44DA012302-02
Application #
6338206
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-D (10))
Program Officer
Seitz, Larry
Project Start
1998-09-30
Project End
2004-02-29
Budget Start
2001-09-30
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$473,920
Indirect Cost
Name
Tanglewood Research, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Greensboro
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27409