Program
Summary
Project Towards No Drug Abuse (Project
TND) is an effective drug abuse prevention program
that targets heterogeneous samples of high school-age
youth. Reductions in cigarette smoking, alcohol use,
marijuana use, hard drug use, and victimization have
been revealed at one- and two-year follow-up periods.
Program Targets:
Project TND is a drug abuse prevention program with
a focus on high school youth, ages 14 to 19. It has
been tested at traditional and alternative* high schools
using true experimental designs.
Program Content:
A set of 12 in-class interactive sessions that provide
motivation-skills-decision-making material targeting
the use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, hard drug
use, and violence related behavior. The topics are:
- Active Listening
- Stereotyping
- Myths and Denials
- Chemical Dependency
- Talk Show
- Marijuana Panel
- Tobacco Use Cessation
- Stress, Health and Goals
- Self-control
- Positive and Negative Thought and Behavior Loops
- Perspectives
- Decision-making and Commitment
The 12 classroom-based lessons, approximately 40
to 50 minutes each, are designed to be implemented
over a four-week period. The instruction to students
provides cognitive motivation enhancement activities
(to not use drugs), detailed information about the
social and health consequences of drug use, and correction
of cognitive misperceptions. The instruction also
addresses topics including active listening, effective
communication skills, stress management, coping skills,
tobacco cessation techniques, and self-control to
counteract risk factors for drug abuse relevant to
older teens.
Program Outcomes:
Project TND has been tested in three true experimental
field trials, involving two or three conditions in
each trial (one or two program conditions that were
compared to a standard care control condition). Approximately
3,000 youth from 42 schools participated across the
three trials. At one-year follow-up, relative to comparisons,
participants who received the 12-session program experienced:
- A 27% prevalence reduction in 30-day cigarette
use.
- A 22% prevalence reduction in 30-day marijuana
use.
- A 26% prevalence reduction in 30-day hard drug
use.
- A 9% prevalence reduction in 30-day alcohol use
among baseline drinkers.
- A 6% prevalence reduction in victimization among
males.
Program Costs:
The Project TND Teacher’s Manual costs $70,
and student workbooks cost $50 for a set of five.
There are optional materials, described under “Funding
and Program Costs,” which can also be purchased.
A two-day training, which includes the trainer’s
fee and travel, is $2,500.
