EU-Dap 1: Developing and Testing a New Drug Use Prevention Curriculum – 2003-2005

Using the same questionnaire, a second assessment took place three months after completing the Unplugged program (May-June 2005). A subsequent follow-up took place one year after (September-October 2006). To protect the identity of the youth and the confidentiality of their responses, the questionnaires were identified by a code independently generated by each participant. A total of 150 schools and over 7000 students participated in the EU-Dap Trial. The implementation of the program, the difficulties experienced by the teachers in implementing the Lessons, and possible suggestions for improvements were investigated and registered through specific monitoring forms all along the implementation phase. Results of the trial revealed the effectiveness of the program in reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking, drunkenness episodes and cannabis use, among the 12-14 years old European students who received the program vs the control students. Beneficial effects of the program persisted at fifteen-month follow-up on drunkenness episodes, alcohol-related problems, and cannabis use, and were stronger among males and adolescents of low socioeconomic level schools. The parental and peer components did not add any additional effectiveness to the Unplugged program. However, anecdotal feedback from parents and teachers indicate that the parental component adds value to the program.