Students' evaluations of the effectiveness of substance abuse education: The impact of different delivery modes

Ninety-six students, 12 boys and 12 girls each from the 3rd, 6th, 8th, and 12th grades were interviewed regarding the effectiveness of various delivery modes commonly employed in substance abuse education. These delivery modes included (a) expert-led, (b) teacher-led, (c) peer-led, and (d) parent in-home. Students generally believed that each type of delivery mode would positively effect drug- and alcohol-related knowledge but not behavior. Furthermore, students believed that the expert-led mode would be the most effective means for positively effecting the drug- and alcohol-related knowledge of students. The implications of these results for school based drug and alcohol prevention efforts are discussed.