Brief SAY IT STRAIGHT training and follow-up in adolescent substance abuse prevention

A shorter version of SAY IT STRAIGHT (SIS) training was investigated during the 1983-84 school year with 1055 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Training was delivered in 7- and 5-day models which were compared with the 10-day model used in 1982-83 with 509 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Both shorter training models yielded significant changes toward more assertive/leveling attitudes (p<.01). Comparisons of 10, 7 and 5 day training models yielded no significant differences in such attitude changes as a function of training length. Alcohol/drug related school suspensions were not found in 1983-84 among 5th graders whether or not they were trained. However, such suspensions were significantly lower among the 1564 6th-9th graders who had received training either in the 1982-83 or the 1983-84 school year compared to the 1295 6th-9th graders who were not trained (p<.05).