These principles should form the foundation of an effective school-based prevention plan.

PRINCIPLE 2 - Prevention programs should address all forms of drug abuse, alone or in combination, including the underage use of legal drugs (e.g., tobacco or alcohol); the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana or heroin); and the inappropriate use of legally obtained substances (e.g., inhalants), prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs.

PRINCIPLE 3 - Prevention programs should address the type of drug abuse problem in the local community, target modifiable risk factors, and strengthen identified protective factors.

PRINCIPLE 4 - Prevention programs should be tailored to address risks specific to population or audience characteristics, such as age, gender, and ethnicity, to improve program effectiveness.

PRINCIPLE 7 - Prevention programs for elementary school children should target improving academic and social-emotional learning to address risk factors for drug abuse, such as early aggression, academic failure, and school dropout. Education should focus on the following skills:

• self-control;
• emotional awareness;
• communication;
• social problem-solving; and
• academic support, especially in reading.

PRINCIPLE 8 - Prevention programs for middle or junior high and high school students should increase academic and social competence with the following skills:

• study habits and academic support;
• communication;
• peer relationships;
• self-efficacy and assertiveness;
• drug resistance skills;
• reinforcement of anti-drug attitudes; and
• strengthening of personal commitments against drug abuse.

PRINCIPLE 14 - Prevention programs should include teacher training on good classroom management practices, such as rewarding appropriate student behavior. Such techniques help to foster students' positive behavior, achievement, academic motivation, and school bonding.

PRINCIPLE 15 - Prevention programs are most effective when they employ interactive techniques, such as peer discussion groups and parent role-playing, that allow for active involvement in learning about drug abuse and reinforcing skills.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2003). Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders. Available: http://www.nida.nih.gov/Prevention/principles.html

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