The impact of drug education and prevention programs. Disparity between impressionistic and empirical assessments.
In the course of evaluating drug prevention programs for youth, we observed that although staff perceived the programs had quite favorably affected youths' attitudes and behavior, responses from these youths showed little significant impact on their use or attitudes related to drugs. This article explores several explanations for the disparity between staff impressions of the impact of these programs and results from attempts to measure impact objectivity. The analysis considers (a) clients' risk-level for drug use, (b) expectations as to how programs affect client behavior and attitudes, and (c) the sensitivity of empirical measures to ascertain changes reflecting impact of the program.
Gilham
S A
SA
University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA.
Lucas
W L
WL
Sivewright
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States