Science-Based Prevention Background

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These materials offer current thinking about science-based prevention, levels of effectiveness and theory.

Some of the pieces on this page are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat software. If you do not currently have Adobe Acrobat, download Adobe Acrobat Reader here. If you are located in the Central CAPT Region and need assistance in doing this, call Paul Zobitz at 800-782-1878.

Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice: Lessons of the First Three Years of CSAP's National CAPT System (Adobe Acrobat File)
This paper presents the lessons learned during the first three years by CSAP's National CAPT Program. This paper is intended to stimulate further discussions within the field on how to further advance the application of science-based approaches to prevention. We would appreciate your feedback on the contents of this document.

Levels of Effectiveness of Science-Based Prevention
Science-based information is derived by expert consensus using common rating criteria. This document describes five levels of effectiveness that are useful in determining which prevention programs are considered science-based, and which are not.

Resilience Research for Prevention Programs (Adobe Acrobat Files)
This series of papers explores resiliency research and theory and its connection to substance abuse prevention programming. Each paper is an Adobe Acrobat File.
Bridging the Resilience Gap: Research to Practice
Adventure Education: Making a Lasting Difference
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentoring: The Power of Developmental Relationships
Competence and Resilience Research: Lessons for Prevention
Meta-Analyses Provide Decade of Evidence: Effective School-Based Drug Prevention Programs
Opportunities for Child-Initiated Learning: Long-term Follow-up Studies of Preschool Programs
Protective Factors in Individuals, Families, and Schools: National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health Findings

Reviewing Theories of Adolescent Substance Use: Organizing Pieces in the Puzzle
This article, summarized by Tanglewood Research, presents a review of the most prominent theories of adolescent drug use and offers a framework for organizing this information.

Science-Based Practices in Substance Abuse Prevention: A Guide (Adobe Acrobat File)
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/prevent/pdf/science.pdf
This 120-page paper is the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's attempt to bridge the gap between prevention research and practice. Science-based principles, practices and models are explored, along with guidelines in implementing and adopting these models and principles.

Science-Based Substance Abuse Prevention (Adobe Acrobat File)
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/prevent/pdf/abuse.pdf
This 14-page paper was created by senior officials and scientists from the Department of Health and Human Services, with substantial help from senior staff from the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with additional suggestions from officials in other departments. A commonly used alternate title for this document is the Science on the Same Page paper.

Towards a Framework for Prevention: Principles, Approaches, or Programs (Adobe Acrobat File)
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/prevent/pdf/frame.pdf
This five-page paper is written by Dr. Karol Kumpfer, Director for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and addresses the need for all federal agencies to come to consensus on terminology around best practices. It clarifies some of the areas of confusion and areas where consensus panels are needed.

What is Scientifically-Defensible Prevention?
This document provides a good introduction to science-based prevention.