Last week, we looked at new research on job loss and substance use disorders. With most disorders, the earlier in life substance abuse starts, the more likely it is to become a problem later in life. What can be done to encourage abstinence or responsible use that really makes a difference for young people?

Recently, we saw that the D.A.R.E. program has had no positive impact on substance abuse rates. The LifeSkills Training program is one of the only substance use prevention programs that has shown positive results five years out. LifeSkills Training, or LST, consists of three modules:

• Drug Resistance Skills: how to handle peer pressure and media pressure

• Self Management Skills: goal setting, progress measurement, decision making, problem solving

• Social Skills: overcoming shyness, communicating effectively, understanding body language and facial expressions, de-escalating conflicts

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Gang Center, LST has cut alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use by over 50% and polydrug use by 66% six years out from training. The LST program being referenced is offered by Botvin LifeSkills Training and the results are after three years of LST. The Botvin website states:

While one year of LST has been proven to achieve measurable positive effects, multi-year implementation is strongly recommended.

Botvin makes modules for four school levels: elementary school, middle school, high school, and a “transitions” track for teens. The middle school track is particularly strong. It’s designed to be taught for three consecutive years, with 15 classroom lessons in the first year, 10 in the second year, and five in the third year.

A 2022 study in Frontiers in Digital Health evaluated the effectiveness of a digital hybrid version of LST. The intervention involved the completion of 14 e-learning modules and six classroom sessions. A total of 755 students at 13 schools participated in the training while 1,044 students at 10 schools received standard health class training.

Students completed evaluations prior to starting the training and four weeks after completing it. According to the researchers:

Findings indicated that the intervention produced significant effects on smoking, e-cigarette use, alcohol use, drunkenness, marijuana use, and the misuse (sharing) of prescription drugs.

The followup period is only four weeks after training; it would be much better to see longer-range assessments. Both the intake survey and the followup survey are students self-reporting use of controlled substances. Still, even the short followup showed positive signs, not only in resistance to controlled substances, but also in general life skills:

[S]tudents who participated in the hybrid digital LST condition had increased skills related to decision-making, coping with anxiety and anger, effective communication, social skills, assertiveness, and conflict resolution.

LifeSkills Training is one of the ways we can help build resilience and self-control among children. As they age into adolescence, the benefits of this training persist, and that translates into a major difference in life outcomes as adults. It’s time to equip all children with the life skills they need to lead happy, healthy lives.

Written by Steve O’Keefe. First published December 24, 2024.

Sources:

“LifeSkills Training,” National Gang Center, U.S. Department of Justice, April 7, 2021.

“Effectiveness of a hybrid digital substance abuse prevention approach combining e-Learning and in-person class sessions,” Frontiers in Digital Health, August 2022.

Image Copyright: nialowwa.