title: Alcohol and drug abuse prevention in Wisconsin public schools.
abstract: This survey assessed the status of Wisconsin public school district programs designed to prevent alcohol and other drug related problems among students. The assessment involved surveying prevention program directors of 102 school districts that received grants for prevention initiatives since 1981. Most districts (70%) implemented programs at the elementary, middle, and senior high school levels. Typical program strategies involved combining information dissemination with refusal skill and self-concept development. School programs predominantly were school-based and did not systematically involve community members or agencies. The greatest obstacles to providing effective prevention services include high rates of alcohol and other drug use in homes and communities, denial of alcohol and other drug related problems among students, parents, and community members, and lack of staff time for prevention activities. Project directors indicated a need for schools to initiate greater involvement of parents, nonschool alcohol and drug abuse prevention agencies, and other community organizations in school efforts.
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction, Madison 53707-7841.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fredisdorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014922:Wisconsin