Evaluation of a comprehensive elementary school curriculum-based drug education program

J Drug Educ. 1990;20(3):199-225. doi: 10.2190/7MXX-K123-1KQL-CHHC.

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a province-wide chemical abuse prevention education program for grades two through six. Two separate studies were conducted. Study 1 measured pre- and post-scores on a test with 1101 experimental and 991 control subjects in a quasi-experimental design. Study 2 surveyed 500 elementary school teachers on their opinions and practices regarding drug education, and on the prevalence of the program in schools. The study found that: 1) students had a high initial knowledge level; 2) students showed modest but statistically significant knowledge gains for urban schools and grades three, four, and five of rural schools; 3) the program was most effective with students with a low base knowledge; 4) an estimated 20 to 30 percent of Manitoba elementary teachers had been in-serviced and/or were using the program across the province; and 5) the program was received well among teachers.

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / prevention & control
  • Child
  • Curriculum
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Manitoba
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Substance-Related Disorders / prevention & control*