School-Based Interventions for Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents: A Scoping Review
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| Title: | School-Based Interventions for Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents: A Scoping Review |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Sunandar Said (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of School Health. 2026 96(3). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 18 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Intervention, Drug Abuse, Prevention, Adolescents, Daily Living Skills, Program Effectiveness, Teacher Influence, Peer Influence, Policy, Cultural Relevance, Cultural Differences, Educational Policy, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Brazil, United States |
| DOI: | 10.1111/josh.70122 |
| ISSN: | 0022-4391 1746-1561 |
| Abstract: | Background: Drug abuse among adolescents is a global public health challenge. While schools are key environments for prevention, the impact of facilitator types and cultural contexts on program success requires clarification. Methods: This scoping review followed JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of four databases (2015-2025) yielded 27 eligible studies for thematic analysis. Findings: Interventions targeting life skills led by teachers or peers consistently produced positive outcomes. Conversely, programs led by external authorities, such as police, showed mixed results. For instance, police-led initiatives effective in the US initially showed no impact or adverse effects in Brazil. Evidence indicates that rigorous cultural re-adaptation can eliminate these harms, highlighting that cultural alignment is a prerequisite for program safety. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Policy should prioritize tailoring interventions to local contexts over rigid adoption of foreign models. Adaptation is a stepwise process: first ensuring safety, then aiming for effectiveness. Facilitator success relies more on trust and pedagogical skill than formal authority. Conclusions: In school-based prevention, the messenger is as critical as the message. Success depends on contextual relevance and building genuine trust with adolescents. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1498733 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Drug abuse among adolescents is a global public health challenge. While schools are key environments for prevention, the impact of facilitator types and cultural contexts on program success requires clarification. Methods: This scoping review followed JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of four databases (2015-2025) yielded 27 eligible studies for thematic analysis. Findings: Interventions targeting life skills led by teachers or peers consistently produced positive outcomes. Conversely, programs led by external authorities, such as police, showed mixed results. For instance, police-led initiatives effective in the US initially showed no impact or adverse effects in Brazil. Evidence indicates that rigorous cultural re-adaptation can eliminate these harms, highlighting that cultural alignment is a prerequisite for program safety. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Policy should prioritize tailoring interventions to local contexts over rigid adoption of foreign models. Adaptation is a stepwise process: first ensuring safety, then aiming for effectiveness. Facilitator success relies more on trust and pedagogical skill than formal authority. Conclusions: In school-based prevention, the messenger is as critical as the message. Success depends on contextual relevance and building genuine trust with adolescents. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0022-4391 1746-1561 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/josh.70122 |
