Diffusion of school-based substance abuse prevention programs

Despite promising evidence of the effectiveness of psychosocial-based approaches to drug abuse prevention, these programs have not been widely adopted by schools. This article considers the feasibility of widespread diffusion of empirically based prevention programs in school settings. The literature on determinants of diffusion is reviewed, results of recent research on strategies to increase diffusion are discussed and barriers to successful diffusion in school settings are identified. The article concludes by presenting implications of these research findings for policy, practice, and future research.