A theory-based motivational approach for reducing alcohol/drug problems incollege

The Campuswide Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program (CADAPP) was imple mented and evaluated over a 1.5-year span at the University of New Mexico ( UNM). Drawing on self-regulation theory as a basis for understanding motiva tion for change, the program was designed to increase risk perceptions and thereby reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs among university students . The program was evaluated from 1988 to 1989 through repeated anonymous ra ndom sample surveys of all enrolled students on the UNM campus and on a sim ilar control campus not implementing new prevention efforts during the same period. As predicted, relative to the control campus, students on the CADA PP campus after the program showed significantly higher perceived risks fro m substance use and significantly reduced levels of alcohol and marijuana u se. These findings provide encouraging evidence for this theory-based appro ach to primary and secondary prevention.