THE IMPACT OF DRUG-EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS - DISPARITY BETWEEN IMPRESSIONISTIC AND EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENTS

In the course of evaluating drug prevention programs for youth. we obs erved that although staff perceived the programs had quite favorably a ffected youth's attitudes curd behavior responses from these youths sh owed little significant impact on their use or attitudes related to dr ugs. This article explores several explanations for the disparity betw een staff impressions of the impact of these programs and results from attempts to measure impact objectively. The analysis considers (a) cl ients' risk-level for drug use, (b) expectations as to how programs af fect client behavior and attitudes, and (c) the sensitivity of empiric al measures to ascertain changes reflecting impact of the program.