Child Trends Child Trends offers a broad array of research-based information with the goal of improving children's lives. Authoritative information relating to early childhood development, poverty, education, health, parenting, child welfare and many additional topics can be found at the Child Trends website http://www.childtrends.org/.
Child Trends and LINKS
Of particular interest is Child Trends' synthesis of what they have learned from experimentally evaluated programs in the LINKS (Lifecourse Interventions to Nurture Kids Successfully) database.
Child Trends has generously allowed us to select three LINKS Syntheses fact-sheet publications of current interest for presentation in our Timely Topics series. Each fact sheet synthesizes the lesson learned from experimentally evaluated programs in the LINKS database.
What Works for Preventing and Stopping Substance Use in Adolescents
The LINKS evaluation, What Works for Preventing and Stopping Substance Use in Adolescents: Lessons from Experimental Evaluations of Programs and Interventions, by Tawana Bandy and Kristin A. Moore, May 2008, reports that despite a decade-long decline in substance use among adolescents, research tells us that about 80 percent of teens have begun to drink alcohol and 50 percent have used an illegal drug by their senior year in high school. This synthesis' findings indicate that prevention- and cessation-based substance use programs can work. Research suggests that:
• Multi-component programs generally work.
• Programs that address all forms of drug use in combination generally work.
• Increasing knowledge of the health consequences of substance use increases the likelihood/success of stopping use of alcohol and other substances.
• Programs tailored to address substance use risks that are specific to particular populations, such as those defined by developmental age, gender, and ethnicity, tend to work.
• Initial evidence suggests peer teaching works when combined with adult facilitation.
• Programs that emphasize drug resistance and reinforcement of anti-drug attitudes appear to
work.
• Both prevention and cessation programs work for adolescents and youth.
The fact sheet can be found at: http://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2008_05_20_FS_WhatWorksSub.pdf
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