Keepin' it REAL

COUNTRY: UNITED STATES

REGION: AMERICAS

Developer:  Arizona State University, Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center

Program Overview: Keepin' It Real is a school-based program for students 12-14 years of age which aims to reduce alcohol consumption, cigarette use, and marijuana use.

Program Design: Program curriculum is administered by trained teachers in a classroom setting. The curriculum includes 10 lessons which are delivered in 45 minute sessions, over a ten week period. Curriculum includes videos, worksheets, and activities. One of the main strategies of the program is teaching resistance skills; students learn four main strategies called REAL:

• Refuse offers to use substances
• Explain why you do not want to use substances
• Avoid situations in which substances are used
• Leave situation in which substances are used

More information on the program curriculum can be found here.

Evaluation: A study of 6,298 seventh grade student s in 35 middle schools in Pheonix, Arizona aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Keepin' It Real curriculum. The study used a compare and control group to compare changes in alcohol consumption, tobacco, and marijuana use over time and across control and intervention groups. The study used a pre test and follow ups at 2, 8, and 14 months following program implementation. Data were collected using a 45-minute questionnaire administered in the classroom. Items assessed past-30 day quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and marijuana use.

Alcohol-related items¹:

• "How many drinks of alcohol have you had in the past 30 days?"
• "How many days in the past 30 days have you had alcohol to drink (Do NOT count for religious services)?"

Key findings¹: Program evaluation found that students participating in the curriculum reported statistically significant:

• Reductions in rates of alcohol consumption following the intervention
• Reduced rates of growth in alcohol consumption and marijuana use over time

Program Website: sirc.asu.edu

References:

1. Hecht, M., Graham, J. W., & Elek, E. (2006). The drug resistance strategies intervention: Program effects on substance use. Health Communication, Vol. 20(3), 267-276.

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