Substance abuse curricula vs. school drug policies

Schools are attempting to reduce substance abuse by implementing policies related to use of alcohol and other drugs in school settings. A review of current trends in adolescent substance use, together with research concerning effectiveness of alcohol and drug education and the impact of legal deterrence, indicate that: 1) neither educational nor school policy strategies by themselves are likely to effectively prevent use and abuse; 2) to be effective, education and policies must acknowledge and incorporate clear statements of community norms about alcohol and drug use; 3) to be effective, educational and policy strategies must complement and reinforce each other; and 4) education and policies must acknowledge and reinforce the positive behavior of the large number of students who do not use or abuse alcohol and other drugs.