Adaptation Processes in School-Based Substance Abuse Programs

The goals of this study are to develop a middle school substance use prevention curriculum for underserved rural youth and evaluate its efficacy compared to the existing, multicultural curriculum. In addition, we are studying how the curricula get taught by the teachers. Hypothesis 1: When compared to students in the control condition, students in the treatment conditions will report less substance use, more conservative norms, less positive expectations about substance use outcomes, and better life and communication skills. Hypothesis 2: When compared to students in the control condition, students in the researcher adaptation condition will report less substance use, more conservative norms, less positive expectations, and better life and communication skills. Hypothesis 3: When compared to students in the control condition, students in the teacher adaptation condition will report less substance use, more conservative norms, less positive expectations, and better life and communication skills. Hypothesis 4: Researcher adaptation will have a greater impact on substance use, norms, and expectations than teacher adaptation.