Test of the Better Together Intervention

Better Together (BT) is a novel, culturally relevant library-based intervention designed to prevent substance use among Black youth (ages 11-13) affected by household challenges (i.e., parental substance use, parental incarceration, and parental mental health challenges). In partnership with public and school librarians, the investigators will conduct a randomized pilot study of BT with up to 100 youth across four sites in Baltimore, Maryland to assess: 1. Implementation fidelity via logs, assessments, and observations of participants and facilitators 2. Feasibility of all key research aspects, including recruitment, randomization, intervention, and control conditions, as well as pre, post, and one-month follow-up assessments 3. Initial effects of BT on substance use