Safe and drug-free school coordinators' perceived needs to improve violence and drug prevention programs

A random sample of 380 Ohio safe and drug-free school coordinators was mailed surveys regarding their perceived needs to improve safe and drug-free school programs. Of 298 who responded (78%), most were White (88%), female (71%), older than age 40 (72%), possessed a master's degree (56%), and worked at either a rural (43%) or suburban (40%) school. Training topics perceived as most beneficial in improving safe and drug-free school programs included training on effective techniques that enhance youth success, building school-parent-community partnerships, and providing conflict management/dispute resolution skills. Lack of time, poor parental attitudes, and lack of school personnel support were identified most often as barriers to program improvement. Findings can be used by state health education resource centers and training providers to more effectively meet the needs of safe and drug-free school coordinators.