[Results of a school addictive substances abuse prevention program: the Barcelona PASE pilot project]

A pilot project for the prevention of substance abuse in schools (PASE) has been developed in 1988-90 in sixth and seventh grades (12-14 years-old) in 11 primary schools in the city of Barcelona (Spain). Data on consumption smoking, alcohol and drugs were obtained before the implementation of the project, shortly afterwards, and in the next school year. These results are presented, comparing the evolution of attitudes, beliefs and behavior of these school children with a control group composed of students from reference schools. The results suggest a modest but significant effect of the program, which seems to decrease over time for smoking, suggesting the need for booster interventions to maintain its effects.