The Efficacy of a Systematic Substance Abuse Program for Adolescent Females

A school-based substance abuse prevention program based on the assumptions of the ASCA National Model® was designed to change adolescent females' drug-using behaviors. The program was designed to reduce substance abuse, increase negative attitudes toward drug use, and reduce negative behaviors while increasing positive behaviors, knowledge of the physical symptoms of drug use, student achievement, and selfesteem. Group sessions were based on solution-focused brief therapy and action learning theory and were supplemented by mentorship from community members and peers. Positive outcomes were found on five dependent variables.