Penn State Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts Win SAMHSA Award

May 23, 2000

University Park, Pa. --- Two programs, developed by Penn State researchers and implemented in Boys & Girls Clubs, have been awarded Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Awards for 1999 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA). Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Dr. Tena St. Pierre, associate professor of agricultural and extension education and senior research associate in Penn State’s Institute for Policy Research and Evaluation (IPRE), and D. Lynne Kaltreider, IPRE research associate, developed the two programs that are known as SMART Leaders and the FAN Club, short for Family Advocacy Network.

This is the second time these programs have been honored by SAMHSA. Last year
SAMHSA identified the two programs and five others as national models for effective national programs. This year, the two programs are among 31 substance abuse prevention programs in 26 states to receive the 1999 Exemplary Award which recognizes prevention programs that excel in applying effective prevention strategies to meet the diverse needs of youth, parents, families and communities.

SMART Leaders is a two-year "booster" program for youth who have completed "Stay SMART," a component of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's SMART Moves program. The curriculum employs role-playing, group activities and discussions to enhance social and decision-making skills among racially diverse youth ages 14 to 17. Participants engage in educational discussions about alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs and are encouraged to recruit other youth for the program. Evaluation results showed that the program decreased rates of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use and increased knowledge of the health consequences of substance abuse.

The FAN Club directly involves the parents of youth participating in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's SMART Moves program, including the SMART Leaders booster program. This parent involvement program is offered in combination with a three-year sequential drug prevention program for early adolescents in Boys & Girls Clubs at high risk for substance abuse. The FAN Club activities fall into four general categories: basic support, social support, education and leadership. Youth participants demonstrated a greater awareness of health consequences of drug use and the ability to refuse alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.

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EDITORS: For more information see http://www.health.org/media/exempawards/altoona.htm Dr. St. Pierre or Lynne Kaltreider are at (814) 865-19561 or or by email.

Contacts:

Barbara Hale (814) 865-9481 (o)/ (814) 238-0997 (h)

Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (o)/ (814) 238-1221 (h)