School-Based Prevention-Evolution of Evidence-Based Strategies

The school has long been an appropriate setting for prevention strategies over the past 40 years as it is where children spend their most time after the home. For this reason, much of the research on evidence-based prevention interventions and strategies has focused on the school. This chapter reviews this history and discusses findings from this research as they pertain to three aspects of the school environment: (1) school climate or culture, which includes norms, beliefs and expectancies, and school bonding, by which the student is connected to the school experience and community; (2) school policy or social control; and (3) classroom curriculum, which comprises lessons that emphasize a cognitive approach to prevention. Reference is made to the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, a guide published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime that summarizes findings from rigorous international research.