An Evaluation of a Primary Prevention Programme for Schools

Abstract

A drug education programme, developed in the USA, for primary aged children was evaluated. Pupils attending an inner-London junior school were randomly assigned to receive Project Charlie (n = 65) or to the control group (n = 55). After one year of weekly 30 minute lessons, the children who had received Project Charlie had a greater knowledge of the effects of medicinal, social and illicit drugs. They could generate both more and higher quality solutions to hypothetical social dilemmas and were more secure in their ability to resist peer pressure to commit anti-social acts. However, Project Charlie children did not have significantly higher self-esteem than the control children, nor did the two groups differ in their intentions to use drugs, or their reported current use.

Key Words:

• Drugs education
• primary school
• life skills training