Program Selection Criteria for the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Archive

All of the programs in the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Archive were evaluated by a Scientist Expert Panel according to the following criteria:

1. Scientific rigor of program implementation and evaluation, including:

• foundation in appropriate theory or conceptual model
• adequate and appropriate target group (e.g., youth between 10 and 22 years of age)
• appropriate sample size and representativeness (e.g., race/ethnicity, SES, risk level)
• appropriate design and methods
• comparable control or comparison group (random assignment where feasible)
• consideration of breadth of program content and program channels
• curriculum quality and faithfulness of implementation
• adequate instrumentation and data collection procedures
• appropriate analytic procedures
• consideration of mechanism of effects, and for whom

2. Adequacy of follow-up, including:

• follow-up assessment conducted a minmum of six months (preferably longer) after intervention period
• adequate retention rates across follow-up data collection periods
• use of multiple assessment methods (e.g., self-report, collaterals, biochemical validation)

3. Positive behavioral impact including convincing evidence of salutary impact on one or more of the following behaviors for one or more subgroups of youth:

• abstinence from the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs (e.g., in past week, month)
• decreased frequency of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use
• reduced intensity of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use
• refusal of offer to use, purchase, or obtain alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
• increase in behaviors incompatible with use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
• reduced negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use