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Too Good for Drugs

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Too Good For Drugs (TGFD) is a 10-lesson substance abuse prevention curriculum used in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program provides education in social and emotional competencies and reduces risk factors while building protective factors that affect students in that particular age group. Instructional strategies include role-plays, modeling, practicing, reinforcing, providing feedback, and promoting the generalization of skills to other contexts, all of which promote cooperative learning and skill building. TGFD provides normative education, teacher tips, and a parent component in order to make both the school and family environments more supportive of drug-free choices.

Goal / Mission

This program is designed to reduce students' intentions to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

Impact

Studies show that the program significantly reduces the proportion of students with intentions to drink alcohol and smoke. Participants also showed significantly increased use of personal and social skills, increased engagement in prosocial behaviors, and decreased engagement in inappropriate social behaviors.

Results / Accomplishments

In one study, from pre- to posttest, the proportion of students with intentions to drink alcohol was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group, which received a standard physical education curriculum (p < 0.05).

In a second study, from pre- to posttest, the proportions of students with intentions to drink alcohol and smoke were significantly reduced for the treatment group compared with the wait-list control group (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively).

From pre- to posttest, students in the treatment group showed significantly increased use of personal and social skills, increased engagement in prosocial behaviors, and decreased engagement in inappropriate social behaviors compared with students in the wait-list control group (all p values < 0.01). These results were maintained at 4-month follow-up.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Mendez Foundation
Primary Contact
C.E. Mendez Foundation, Inc. - Atlanta
200 Ottley Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
678-791-0865
info@mendezfoundation.org
http://www.mendezfoundation.org/
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
The Mendez Foundation
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry for Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
Date of publication
2003
For more details
Target Audience
Teens