Boys & Girls Clubs and school collaborations: A longitudinal study of a multicomponent substance abuse prevention program for high-risk elementary school children

This study tested the effectiveness of a multicomponent after-school substance abuse prevention program for high-risk second- and third-grade children implemented collaboratively by Boys & Girls Clubs and their local schools. The 2-year program was designed to reduce risk factors predictive of later substance abuse, and to enhance protective factors shown to buffer risk. Results showed positive effects on program children's personal competency skills including (1) refusing wrongdoing; (2) solving peer and school problems; (3) showing courteousness to teachers and other school personnel; and (4) behaving ethically. For the most part, the program also had positive effects on children's feelings toward school and grades in spelling. Results suggest that youth-serving organizations and schools can collaboratively implement multicomponent interventions that provide protective factors that may buffer high-risk elementary school children from the multiple risks in their lives for future drug abuse.