Drug Education: Programmes and Methodology - An Overview of Opportunities for Drug Prevention (EC - UNESCO, 1995, 41 p.): II. The planning process of drug education: Evaluation

Drug Education: Programmes and Methodology - An Overview of Opportunities for Drug Prevention (EC - UNESCO, 1995, 41 p.)

(introduction...)

Introduction

I. Drug Abuse Prevention Strategies

Supply reduction or demand reduction?

Dilemmas of drug prevention

II. The planning process of drug education

(introduction...)

Drug abuse assessment

Developing prevention goals and objectives

Identification of resources

Determining the content and selecting methods of the prevention programme

Implementation

Evaluation

Programmes, target groups and intermediaries

III. Methods and techniques of drug education

(introduction...)

Drug Education and Mass Media

Principles of Mass Media

Drug Education utilizing group methods and techniques

(introduction...)

Knowledge and drug information model

Affective education model

Social influence model

Life skills model of drug education

IV. Drug Prevention in some European Countries: A Review of Policies and Programmes

(introduction...)

United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

V. Effectiveness of Drug Education

(introduction...)

Evaluation of Mass Media Drug Education

Evaluation of Drug Education through Group Methods

VI. Conclusion and suggestions for Model Programmes of Drug Education

Evaluation

There are several reasons to include an evaluation at the end of a prevention programme First, curiosity of those involved in the programme as to how successful their programme has been. Second, funding resources usually require some form of assessment in order to determine whether their money has been wisely invested. Third, and perhaps most important, an objective evaluation is the only credible method available to determine the effectiveness of preventive activities and programmes.

There are two kinds of evaluation: process evaluation and effect - or outcome evaluation. The central question in process evaluation is: did we accomplish our goals? Why or why not? Has the prevention programme been carried out in the way we intended and planned? Have resources been utilized as initially planned? Have we used the funds appropriately? Was the target group satisfied with the way the prevention programme was carried out? What has been the opinion of the community (local council, key-persons, the media, etc).

The second kind of evaluation deals with the effects of the prevention programme. Whilst, it is not always possible to determine or measure the intended effects or outcomes of prevention efforts, attempts should be made to discover if there is any evidence of reduction of drug use or drug problems in the community, or whether the community is more aware or better informed about drug use and drug problems.