Substance Refusal:

Abstract

This study examined the impact of two treatment strategies on children's drug refusal skills and drug-related information. Thirty-four third-graders were randomly assigned to one of three groups: rehearsal-plus group were taught drug knowledge, assertiveness skills, decision-making skills, elaborative rehearsal (rationale), and specific drug refusal skills in the context of a skills-based strategy. The general information group targeted the same components with the exception of elaborative rehearsal (rationale). Additionally, subjects in this group received training in general knowledge/self-esteem. Results indicated that subjects in both groups showed significant improvement on drug knowledge. Additionally, the rehearsal-plus group showed significant improvement in the occurrence of behavioral skills (Situation 1) and elaborative rehearsal (rationale) while subjects in teh general information group improved.