Evaluation of a Comprehensive Elementary School Curriculum-Based Drug Education Program

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.