The effectiveness of a school-based substance abuse prevention program: EU-Dap cluster randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Substance Abuse Prevention

Background:

• Adolescent substance use, including tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis, poses significant public health challenges.
• Early intervention programs are crucial for preventing the onset and escalation of substance use in young people.
• The EU-Dap (EUropean Drug Abuse Prevention trial) developed a school-based program utilizing a social-influence approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the EU-Dap school-based drug abuse prevention program.
• To assess the program's impact on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use at the post-test phase.
• To determine if the program prevents substance use initiation and escalation among adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial involving 170 schools and 7079 pupils (12-14 years) across seven European countries.
• A 12-hour, class-based curriculum delivered during the 2004/2005 school year.
• Pre- and post-test surveys assessed substance use, with data analyzed using multilevel regression models.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in daily cigarette smoking (POR=0.70) and episodes of drunkenness (POR=0.72 for at least one episode, POR=0.69 for three or more).
• Marginal statistical significance for reduced cannabis use (POR=0.77).
• The program prevented non-smokers/sporadic smokers from becoming daily smokers but did not help existing daily smokers reduce consumption.

Conclusions:

• School curricula employing a comprehensive social-influence model can effectively delay the progression to daily smoking.
• These programs show promise in delaying the onset of frequent episodes of drunkenness among adolescents.
• Further research may explore long-term effects and strategies for established substance users.