Pilot Project: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Standardized Student Assistance Program

Abstract

We examined the effectiveness of Student Assistance Program group counseling. One hundred and forty-four (144) substance using high school seniors completed a questionnaire in 1995 concerning their substance use before and after counseling, their experience in counseling, and the impact of counseling on their substance use. Participants reported significant decreases in substance use and attributed these changes to counseling. Most participants liked counseling, and higher frequency drinkers did not differ from lower frequency drinkers in liking counseling and reporting decreased substance use. These results offer support for the effectiveness of such interventions and highlight the need for additional research in the area.

Key Words:

• Student Assistance Program
• Group intervention
• Adolescent substance misuse