The purpose of this program announcement is to encourage the scientific study of drug abuse prevention strategies that are based in the school environment to determine their efficacy in preventing the initiation of drug use and dependent patterns of drug abuse. Research must include both process and controlled outcome studies and must examine the relationship between process and outcome. Where possible, impact measures should be included.
Process studies examine the extent to which the program has been implemented as designed.
Outcome studies assess the extent to which the programs have achieved their desired effects. These studies should focus not only on drug use behaviors but also on those behavioral, attitudinal, cognitive, and environmental factors that are to be influenced by the intervention. Finally, impact studies analyze the extent to which the programs have altered drug use practices at the school, neighborhood or community level. Follow-up analyses should emphasize the relationship between the mediating variables and drug usage patterns. Studies focused upon rural and inner city schools are encouraged.