Evaluation of a comprehensive elementary school curriculum-based drug education program.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Educational Psychology
• Substance Abuse Prevention

Background:

• Chemical abuse prevention education is crucial for youth.
• Evaluating the efficacy of province-wide programs is essential for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a chemical abuse prevention education program in Manitoba elementary schools.
• To understand teacher adoption and perceptions of the program.

Main Methods:

• Quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-testing (N=2092 students).
• Survey of elementary school teachers regarding program implementation and opinions (N=500).

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated modest, statistically significant knowledge gains, especially in urban and specific rural grades.
• The program was most impactful for students with lower initial knowledge levels.
• An estimated 20-30% of teachers were utilizing the program, which was well-received.

Conclusions:

• The chemical abuse prevention program shows potential for improving student knowledge, particularly for those starting with less information.
• Wider implementation and teacher engagement are key to maximizing program impact across the province.