Prevention Programs Receive Government Seal of Approval

SAMHSA announced the names of 25 exemplary substance abuse prevention programs in June that received a Government "seal of approval" for preventing and reducing illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, and other risky behaviors in communities across America. The programs were selected after a review of more than 200 substance abuse prevention programs. The review was based on criteria requiring that the programs use scientifically rigorous evaluations and achieve consistently positive outcomes.

At a formal awards luncheon on June 7, SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention in partnership with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, the National Prevention Network, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, presented the winning programs with the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Award.

"Our message today is that prevention is possible and that models of excellence are available," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson in announcing the awards. "Communities across America should insist upon and work toward the same level of excellence. As a Nation, we can settle for no less."

The 25 model programs that received the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award are listed in SAMHSA's National Registry of Effective Prevention Programs. The Registry is part of SAMHSA's ongoing efforts to identify and disseminate information nationwide about science-based prevention programs that have demonstrated consistently positive results.

After model programs are identified by the Registry, SAMHSA's National Dissemination System creates materials and Web-based information; provides training and technical assistance; and works with states, localities, and the private sector to ensure effective implementation. During 3 years of designating model programs, 662 programs have been reviewed and 41 enrolled in SAMHSA's Registry.

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SAMHSA also honored five promising programs. These five were recognized as innovative, community-based programs that have shown good preliminary results in preventing youth from engaging in the use of alcohol and illicit drugs. These promising programs were nominated by state agencies and national organizations and were selected in collaboration with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

White House Drug Czar John Walters

At the awards luncheon, White House Drug Czar John Walters said, "The model programs recognized today are making important differences every day where it matters most: in our neighborhoods. Initiatives like these help galvanize local communities in the national effort to reduce substance abuse through sound, science-based prevention."

"Reducing risk for destructive behaviors and increasing opportunities for safe passage to adulthood are possible when communities embrace science-based prevention programs for young people," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W. "We are allocating funds and forming partnerships with national, state, and grassroots organizations to help bring about the use of model programs nationwide."

One of the exemplary programs, the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse—Striving Together to Achieve Rewarding Tomorrows (CASASTART), is a community-based, school-centered program designed to keep high-risk 8- to 13-year-old youth free of drug and crime involvement through a coordinated effort of preventive services and law enforcement activities. Impact analyses found that children in the program, when compared to the matched control group at the 1-year followup, were significantly less likely to use gateway and stronger drugs, less likely to report involvement in drug trafficking, and more likely to be promoted to the next grade in school.

SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie talks with Joseph A. Califano, Jr., president of CASA.

"We are very pleased that SAMHSA recognizes, as we do, the need to reach kids at a young age, and the community and family involvement essential to keep them substance free," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., president of CASA, which is located at Columbia University. "SAMHSA and CASA also share a recognition of the importance of continually measuring outcomes to assure the maximum return on every dollar invested. A child who reaches age 21 without using drugs, smoking cigarettes, or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so."

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Another exemplary program, Family Matters, involves family members in supervising, communicating with, and discouraging substance use among 12- to 14-year-old adolescents. The program provides booklets and activities to parents with oversight from a health educator. Families are encouraged to establish rules regarding adolescent alcohol and tobacco use.

Findings from an evaluation study reported significant reductions in the prevalence of smoking and drinking in the intervention group at 3-month and 12-month followups. An article on the program reported that Family Matters was successful in changing several aspects of the family environment regarding substances. In addition to setting rules, parents in the program were more likely to discuss peer and media influences on alcohol use and provide encouragement not to smoke.

"Science has taught us a tremendous amount about the factors involved in the initiation and escalation of drug use and some of the best ways to prevent it," said Glen R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S., Acting Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The ultimate worth of science lies in the extent to which it is useful and used. We look forward to working closely with SAMHSA and others to determine the most effective ways to implement these programs in the communities that need them."

"The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conducts and supports research for two essential reasons: to understand the causes of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol-related problems and to develop new and improved strategies to treat and prevent them," said Institute Acting Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. "We are most gratified when research-based programs are put to work to improve lives and communities."

For more information on the SAMHSA Model Programs, visit www.modelprograms.samhsa.gov. Or, send an e-mail to modprog@samhsa.hhs.gov. Telephone: 1 (877) 773-8546.

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