Prevention Awareness

Prevention of substance abuse and adolescent pregnancy have been identified as critical issues by Missouri citizens. Thus, the key components of effective prevention programming identified by Benard have been adopted for 4-H youth development programs in Missouri. These components are: provision of accurate information, development of social competencies and life skills, involvement in healthy alternatives, training impactors, involvement of all sectors of the community, and establishment of clear, consistent policies.1

Missouri 4-H staff wanted to generate data about the role of 4-H Clubs in prevention efforts, primarily for use in awareness training with leaders. We designed an instru-ment based on Benard's work, with eight items on the frequency of "prevention activities" that had occurred in the past 12 months within the 4- H Club, one item on 4-H Club policies, and one item on personal knowledge of other's substance abuse.

The instrument was administered to 350 teens between the ages of 14 and 19 attending the 1990 State 4-H Congress. The youth who attend the state conference are among the most involved, and are typically leaders in their clubs. A stratified, random sample of 4-H Club adult leaders taken from statewide 4-H enrollments was also surveyed. Volunteers (n=196) from 1,005 4-H Clubs were mailed surveys. From the initial mailing, 64 completed surveys were returned, a response rate of 33%. The lack of randomness in the youth sample and relatively low response rate from volunteers meant results could be generalized only to those responding.

Two questions were asked: Do these teen 4-H members and 4-H Club leaders report examples of prevention programming within a 12-month period? Do their perceptions differ about the programming? The surveys showed that majorities of the leaders responding reported prevention involvement on seven of the eight prevention activity items. Similarly, majorities of teens polled indicated their clubs had provided prevention programming on all eight items. On the added questions, just 28% of leaders and 39% of teens indicated their clubs have an alcohol and drug abuse policy. Fifty-five percent of adults reported knowing an abuser, compared to 86% of the teens. On seven of the 10 items, a chi- square test showed that teens and adults differed significantly on their replies.

The fact that 86% of these youths know someone abusing alcohol and/or other drugs highlights the importance of prevention programming for 4-H Club members. Indeed, a known risk factor for adolescent substance abuse is having a friend or peer who's an abuser.2 We've extensively used this fact and other information from the study in 4-H leader training. Concrete data helps support prevention education in the club structure. We can discuss areas where prevention programming can be strengthened. Differences found in perception among teens and adults have also been a springboard for training volunteers in how to work more effectively with teens. In spite of methodological limitations, this pilot study was an important first step toward learning more about prevention programming and has helped in our training efforts.

1. B. Benard, "Characteristics of Effective Prevention Programs," Prevention Forum, VI (No. 4, 1986), 57-64.

2. J. Dryfoos, Adolescents at Risk (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990).