Assessing the Needs of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs Program Report / Dennis Deck.

Adolescent substance abuse is a leading problem in schools today. If prevention efforts by schools are to be effective, needs assessment and evaluation must be integral parts of the process. A comprehensive needs assessment of school substance abuse prevention programs in the western United States was conducted to: (1) describe the degree and patterns of adolescent substance abuse; (2) describe local and state prevention programs and activities; (3) identify the technical assistance needs of schools, state agencies, and higher education institutions; and (4) identify barriers to providing regional technical assistance. The assessment revealed that adolescent drug use was a critical problem that has existed for many years, cutting across geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries and starting as early as the elementary grades. Nearly all schools were involved in prevention and intervention activities although few had a comprehensive program. State agencies had conducted student use surveys, provided dissemination and training, and were involved in fragile partnerships with other state agencies. State coordinators claimed they would welcome a regional technical assistance center. Institutions of higher education generally did not have teacher training programs in substance abuse prevention or intervention, nor did they pursue federal funding for cooperative prevention programs with schools. Concerning evaluation and dissemination, the assessment found that service providers, training opportunities, prevention curricula, and model programs were not fully utilized and most district programs had not been evaluated. The assessment identified several barriers to technical assistance. A reference list is included. (ABL)

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