PEER-PLANNED SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR PREVENTING ALCOHOL-USE AMONG YOUNGADOLESCENTS

The Project Northland peer participation program tested the feasibilit y of involving students in the planning and promotion of alcohol-free social activities for their peers and to determine whether such partic ipation as associated with reduced alcohol use. The peer program was o ffered in 20 northeastern Minnesota schools when tile study cohort was in seventh grade, students completed a survey in the beginning of six th grade and at the end of sixth grade and seventh grade. Nearly 50% o f the study cohort participated in the program. At the end of seventh grade, after controlling for confounders, an association was observed between student involvement with planning activities and a lower rare of alcohol use. This association was strongest among students who had reported alcohol use at the beginning of sixth grade. This cohort stud y suggests adolescent involvement in planning their own alcohol-free a ctivities may be an efficacious strategy to prevent or reduce the prev alence of alcohol use among youth. Future studies are warranted to eva luate this association using experimental research designs.