Community prevention coalitions are a popular intervention to reduce demand for alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD), but evidence of effectiveness has been sparse. One problem has been the uneven degree to which coalition efforts are implemented, and the presence of other coalitions in quasi-experimental comparison sites. In our previous research, we found evidence of reduced alcohol and marijuana use among middle school students when coalitions were coded by degree of implementation and compared to national norms.
The present study extends this research by assessing the impact of coalitions on secondary school (9th and 10th grade) ATOD use. It is possible that coalition efforts may delay some drug use among junior high school students while not affecting use among those in high school. Alternatively, high school youth may have more community exposure and be equally or more responsive to community-based strategies.
To assess effects, the same meta-analytic techniques will be used. These methods include controlling for sampling bias by using indicators of risk (i.e., low grade point average, truancy and/or frequent sex). For each site, the risk indicator and year of survey administration are entered into logistic regressions predicting recent alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, other drug use and binge drinking. The results are then meta-analyzed by comparing the predicted log odds of substance use from high versus low/no implementation coalition communities to those from Monitoring the Future's nationally representative sample of 10th graders (1991-98). Implications of the findings for community prevention efforts and youth will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, audience members will be able to: 1. Describe ways to code and compare community prevention coalition efforts. 2. Articulate methods used to meta-analyze school surveys. 3. Discuss impact of community coalitions on youth substance use
Keywords: Adolescents, Substance Abuse Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.