An Impact Evaluation of a Rural Youth Drug Education Program

Abstract

This impact evaluation examined the effects of a mixed affective-cognitive drug education program on rural northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin sixth and seventh grade students' substance use health beliefs and behaviors utilizing a nonequivalent control group evaluation design. The data suggested that alcohol use in this population was about three and a half times greater than national averages for similar age groups. Marihuana, cigarette, and cocaine use were equal to national rates. The treatment group did not have lower substance use rates or more favorable health beliefs than the comparison group at the conclusion of the program. This paper describes the drug use prevalence rates and health beliefs of 265 youth in rural northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin, as well as the outcomes of a comprehensive drug education program.