Six-month outcomes of an alcohol prevention program for inner-city youth

Six-hundred and fifty 6th grade students were randomly assigned with the intervention group receiving the STARS for Families Program, an alcohol reduction program consisting of standardized health consultations provided by nurses and mailed follow-up information. The control group received minimum information. Students in the study attended either a neighborhood or a bused inner-city middle school. Students receiving the intervention had significantly less intentions to use alcohol in the future and less alcohol quantity. The study suggests that brief, provider-involved interventions may be a viable school based approach to prevention.