Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

Executive Summary
Pages 1-8

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... Its purpose is threefold: . Assess the self-designated drug abuse prevention strategies that have been subjects of evaluation research, which are limited largely to a few domains of health-oriented interventions; · Consider the explicit theoretical basis and methodological adequacy of these evaluation findings and assess their applicability to diverse population segments; and Proffer minimum methodological standards for future evaluation projects.
From page 2...
... But more of the discrepancy appears attributable to deep-seated divisions between the circumstances and social reinforcements of rich and poor, ethnic/linguistic majorities and minorities, and individuals predisposed toward or against strong attachments to drug-taking behaviors even before the opportunities to use specific drugs arise. A major finding of etiologic research is that the onset of drug taking follows relatively orderly sequences, which begin in early adolescence with the illicit use of alcohol and tobacco drugs widely and legally available to adults although prohibited to minors and end for some in a glut of drug consumption including the above and extending to cocaine and possibly heroin.
From page 3...
... explicit peer pressure toward use, lodged within a more general curriculum emphasizing self-efficacy, interpersonal social skills, and specific knowledge of health effects, followed up with booster sessions in a subsequent school year, and concomitant with continuing public health efforts on a community-wide basis, have in a notable number of trials been effective in delaying the onset of cigarette smoking for a sizable fraction of students who would otherwise have begun smoking early in their adolescence. Although this seems a consistent enough finding to merit notice, there are important codicils.
From page 4...
... Nevertheless, these negative findings point to countereffectiveness within the subpopulation described earlier as the second world of etiologic risk, and the positive results match findings elsewhere supporting effectiveness with the firstworld population. Some prevention strategies have been evaluated sufficiently to conclude that they are not widely effective.
From page 5...
... Review methodological issues regarding drug abuse prevention strategies: identify major design and methodology problems in evaluating existing prevention strategies and possible approaches for correcting such problems in current and future prevention research. A clear majority of the research published as evaluations of the effectiveness of preventive interventions is methodologically weak.
From page 6...
... It requires a patient commitment to attracting quality researchers to the field; applying requirements such as discussed below to NIDA publications and encouraging other research sponsors, collaborators (such as school administrators) , reviewers, and publication editors to attend to them; developing and supporting appropriate research training; and attending to socioenvironmental aspects and data quality control elements of proposed research.
From page 7...
... A final note, which is not visible in the research under review and is not strictly necessary for effectiveness determination. We believe that the practical value of any evaluation is substantially improved if its performers take the trouble to give a careful accounting or best possible estimate of the unit costs of implementing the intervention, separately from the costs of the research components.


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.