Preventing new substance use behaviors in youth: evaluation of a two-year comprehensive program.
Oulmann Zerhouni, Sandra Loisy, Renaud Bouthier, Valentin Flaudias
Frontiers in Psychology 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1339751 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention evaluation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 666 |
| Population | Association workers and young people in France |
| Interventions | training for association workers on-site student party interventions provision of prevention tools for party organizers |
| Topics | CBD MDMA |
| Keywords | Field interventions Nitrous oxide Drug prevention Youth outreach Substance abuse intervention Harm reduction Social media campaigns |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Training, field interventions, and Instagram posts improved knowledge and shifted attitudes toward emerging psychoactive substances, but a website had no significant effect. |
Abstract
The Avenir Santé Association implemented a comprehensive prevention program targeting the consumption of the emerging psychoactive substances ecstasy (MDMA), cannabidiol (CBD), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The program was evaluated through four actions: (i) training for association workers (n = 84) (ii) on-site student party interventions (n = 248), (iii) social network-based prevention (n = 186), and (iv) provision of prevention tools for party organizers (n = 148). Results showed a significant increase in understanding of emerging substances among association workers, with a pre-training score of M = 15.76 (SD = 3.65) and a post-training score of M = 18.29 (SD = 2.50). Increased awareness and reflective attitudes toward substance use were observed among young people participating in field actions, with pre- and post-intervention scores for MDMA use intentions being M = 15.89 (SD = 4.60) and M = 19.17 (SD = 3.33), respectively. Similarly, awareness of CBD effects increased from M = 14.18 (SD = 4.14) to M = 17.60 (SD = 3.31). Exposure to Instagram posts on N2O led to more negative attitudes toward N2O among young people, with a significant change in scores from M = 8.16 (SD = 1.57) to M = 8.42 (SD = 1.26). However, exposure to a website providing information about emerging substances did not produce any significant effect. In conclusion, this initiative underscores the usefulness of facilitator training, field interventions, and certain online information strategies for substance judgment and usage intentions. Future prevention programs can advantageously incorporate these actions.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on CBD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- Acute Psychological and Neurophysiological Effects of MDMA in Humans Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2002
- A developmental comparison of the neurobehavioral effects of ecstasy (MDMA) Neurotoxicology and Teratology October 21, 2006