Randomized trial of brief family interventions for general populations: Adolescent substance use outcomes 4 years following baseline

This study examined the long-term substance use outcomes of 2 brief interve ntions designed for general population families of young adolescents. Thirt y-three public schools were randomly assigned to 3 conditions: the 5-sessio n Preparing for the Drug Free Years Program, the 7-session Iowa Strengtheni ng Families Program, and a minimal contact control condition. The pretest i nvolved 667 6th graders and their families. Assessments included multiple m easures of initiation and current use. of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Pretest data were collected in the 6th grade and the reported follow-up dat a were collected in the 10th grade, Significant intervention-control differ ences in initiation and current use were found for both interventions. It i s concluded that brief family skills-training interventions designed for ge neral populations have the potential to reduce adolescent substance use and thus have important public health implications.