Implementation of the Risk Skills Training Program: A brief intervention targeting adolescent participation in risk behaviors

Adolescence is a crucial developmental time period in which youth experienc e increased freedom and begin to individuate from their Parents. During thi s time of exploration, participation in risk behaviors, such cw heavy drink ing driving after drinking and drug we tends to become more frequent, Tradi tional prevention efforts that typically focus on education have had little success in reducing youth participation in risk behaviors. In contrast, co ntemporary efforts that Incorporate skills training and motivational techni ques in addition to education have begun to show promise. The Risk Skills T raining Program (RSTP) was developed as a brief nonconfrontational, 50-minu te program that targets high school-age students' alcohol and drug use. Res ults from a recent study suggest that the RSTP has a positive impact on thi s age group and is effective in reducing their subsequent participation in risk behaviors.