title: Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of school substance abuse prevention programs in Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been an increase in adolescent substance use that has led to the development and implementation of prevention programs. New evidence is needed in order to improve them and optimize the resources. The aim of this paper is to use a meta-analysis to analyze the effectiveness of school drug prevention programs in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one studies that evaluated drug abuse prevention programs in schools, were published between 2002 and 2013, and that met the selection criteria were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preventive program effectiveness was low ( d = 0.16), although it was higher at the follow-up ( d = 0.30). The programs were most effective in changing attitudes ( d = 0.44) towards drugs. The models of health education ( d = 0.48) and social learning ( d = 0.20) were also very effective, especially in combination with oral, written, and audiovisual support material ( d = 0.21) and the implementation of joint programs by health education professionals and faculty members ( d = 0.25).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Is possible to determine the need for more rigorous evaluations of interventions to establish useful programs.
authors: Universidad Miguel Hernández.
authors: José P
authors: JP
authors: Espada
authors: María T
authors: MT
authors: Gonzálvez
authors: Mireia
authors: M
authors: Orgilés
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Lloret
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Guillén-Riquelme
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013664:Teaching Materials