"Ignite & engage:" A mixed methods evaluation of a peer-led, school-based substance use prevention program.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Substance Use Prevention

Background:

• Adolescent substance use initiation necessitates early identification and prevention strategies.
• Substance use disorders (SUDs) pose significant long-term risks.
• School-based interventions are crucial for reaching young populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a peer-led, school-based storytelling program on adolescent substance use.
• To assess student perceptions of a program delivered by a recovery community organization (RCO).

Main Methods:

• Anonymous online surveys administered to Midwestern middle and high school students (2014-2020).
• Program attendees participated in the
• Ignite & Engage
• event.
• Quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics; qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 27.3% of 10,438 students reported ever using substances, with most initiating between ages 14-16.
• 71.3% of 996 respondents viewed the program favorably; 76.3% valued presenters' recovery stories.
• 51.2% felt less likely to use substances post-program, with a stronger effect in middle schoolers (60.3% vs. 49.5%).

Conclusions:

• A school-based storytelling program delivered by individuals with lived addiction recovery experience is a promising prevention and harm reduction strategy.
• The program demonstrated positive impacts on students' intent to avoid substance use and seek help.
• Peer-led, experiential storytelling effectively engages adolescents in substance use prevention efforts.