Evaluation of Friendly PEERsuasion

• NCJ Number: 250126
• Author(s): Lisa Lunghofer; Weston Williams
• Date Published: June 2016
• Length: 85 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-JF-FX-0105
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Award: Evaluation of Friendly PEERsuasion, a Substance Abuse Prevention Program for Middle School Girls

Annotation

This report presents the findings, recommendations, and methodology of the evaluation of the Friendly PEERsuasion program, a prevention program intended to assist girls ages11-14 acquire the knowledge, skills, and support systems to avoid substance use.

Abstract

Of the 343 girls in the study, 12 percent used cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs; just over 4 percent had used cigarettes; 5 percent had used marijuana; and approximately 5 percent had used alcohol in the last 30 days. Overall, the outcome evaluation did not find evidence that the program was effective in delaying or reducing girls' use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs (ATOD) or in changing their attitudes toward ATOD. The evaluation found that both the intervention and control groups experienced an increase in the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and/or drugs at the 1-year follow-up. No significant improvements were found in the use of cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs by the intervention group compared with the control group; and neither was there significant change in participants' attitudes toward substance use, friends' drug use, or perceived risks associated with substance use in the intervention group compared with the control group. The process evaluation, which focused on program implementation, found problems with attrition and turnover of program participants, recruitment of participants, and follow-up. Four recommendations for program improvement are offered. 9 tables, 1 figure, and appended evaluation materials and instruments