Assertiveness Training in a Preventive Drug Education Program

Abstract

The efficacy of two preventive drug education programs was studied in inner-city elementary schools. Seventh graders were either provided a traditional or an assertiveness drug prevention program. While children in both groups showed significant gains in knowledge, only those in the assertiveness group demonstrated significant changes in drug attitudes. In contrast to these findings, no significant knowledge or attitude changes were observed in youngsters who were not provided either program. The implications of these findings are discussed.