Research Projects

The Unplugged curriculum was evaluated through a cluster Randomized Controlled Trial conducted in 7 European countries (Italy, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Greece and Germany) in 2004-2007 and subsequently re-evaluated in replication trials conducted in Czech Republic, Nigeria, Brasil, Peru, and Chile.

All the evaluation projects followed the same study design collecting information through a self-completed anonymous questionnaire administered before and after the students’ participation in the experimental and control arms.

In the EUDap first trial, the short-term evaluation showed significant effects of the program in reducing cigarette smoking, episodes of drunkenness and cannabis use among students participating to the experimental arm versus the control group. Beneficial effects associated with the program persisted at fifteen-month follow-up for drunkenness, alcohol-related problems, and cannabis use, and were stronger among males and adolescents of low socioeconomic level schools.

Today, the EU-Dap project continues by studying new aspects of effectiveness of the Unplugged program, supporting replication trials, studying risk factors for use and mediators of program effects, and participating to the dissemination and the adoption of effective prevention interventions.