The Trading Cards Program: An Evaluation of Use of High School Role Models for Drug Abuse Prevention

Abstract

Use of role models in drug education programs is increasing despite limited data regarding their efficacy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Trading Cards (TC) Program to positively influence perceptions about the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The TC Program used drug-free high school students to model behaviors and social competencies for elementary students through ongoing relationships facilitated by the program. The study population (N = 1,067) completed a measure of perceptions about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. A Chi square analysis compared experimental and control group responses. The experimental group had more positive perceptions regarding the nonuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs when compared to the control group. Elementary students exposed to the TC Program had more interaction with high school students that focused on nonuse and alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use than did students not exposed to the TC Program. Implications for health education are discussed.