The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #34998

Chudley E. Werch, PhD¹, Michele J. Moore, PhD¹, Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD², Deborah M. Owen, MSH, CHES¹, Joan M. Carlson, MSW¹, and Edessa Jobli, MPH¹. (1) Center for Drug Prevention Research, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2647, (904) 620-2847, cwerch@unf.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Maryland - Baltimore, 5401 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21228-5398

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the: 1) effects of a single drug versus a multiple drugs preventive intervention, each consisting of one-on-one nurse consultations and parent materials; and 2) differential efficacy of the interventions for youth based on their current substance use patterns. Background: Components analysis research dissecting the active elements of successful prevention programs is widely lacking, as are studies addressing whether youth using alcohol and drugs prior to intervention are harmed or helped by prevention programs. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with subjects receiving the single drug (alcohol) STARS for Families program, multiple drugs (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana) STARS Plus, or a minimal intervention Control (parent materials). Over 71% of 8th grade students enrolled in two Northeast Florida middle/junior high schools were recruited (n=448) to participate. Results: Factorial ANCOVAs indicated significant experimental group main effects on three consumption measures (p’s<.05), including alcohol frequency, alcohol problems, and cigarette use. Significant group x pre-intervention alcohol and drug use pattern interaction effects were found on five of six measures, including alcohol frequency, heavy alcohol use, alcohol problems, cigarette use, and marijuana use. Conclusions: This study found little evidence that multiple drugs prevention outperforms single drug (alcohol) prevention on alcohol or drug outcomes, but evidence was found for the benefits of brief nurse consultations over parent materials alone, and the differential efficacy of the STARS for Families program to reduce alcohol, cigarette and marijuana use among youth already using drugs, but not drugs and alcohol combined.

Learning Objectives:

1)Describe the two-fold purpose of this study. 2)Articulate the research methods used in the study. 3)Summarize the main findings and conclusions of the study.
• Assess the implications of the findings for future presentation research and practice.

Keywords: Prevention, Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Acknowledgements: This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (Grant #AA9283).
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.