Beyond the schools: strategies for implementing successful drug prevention programs in community youth-serving organizations.
This article discusses why community-based youth-serving organizations are natural settings for drug prevention programming. Based on a three-year study of a school-based drug prevention program adapted to the Boys & Girls Club setting and serving high-risk youths, we identify organizational impediments to implementing a structured prevention program in youth organizations. We also present some strategies the clubs used to achieve success in a nonschool setting where program participation is voluntary. Strategies include: 1) employing a team approach and making program institutionalization a goal; 2) choosing the "right" prevention program leader; 3) creating a special prosocial bonding group for program youths; 4) involving program graduates as recruiters and positive role models; and 5) developing community support. Drug prevention programming in youth-serving organizations can reinforce, supplement, and enhance school-based prevention efforts, thus providing communities with important drug prevention alternatives that go beyond the schools.
D000293:Adolescent; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003255:Consumer Organizations; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010414:Pennsylvania; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*