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Impact of a Hybrid Prevention Program for High School Students on Prescription Drug Misuse Outcomes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Prescription drug misuse among youth is a significant public health problem that can lead to negative consequences, including addiction and overdose deaths. This study examined the effectiveness of an evidence-based hybrid approach in preventing prescription drug misuse outcomes in high school students. The prevention program used a combination of e-learning modules and classroom activities to enhance social and personal competence skills and refusal skills to deter prescription drug misuse and other types of substance misuse. Findings indicated that prescription sedative misuse was lower among students who received the hybrid prevention program compared to students in the control group. Perceived risk of using prescription sedatives, painkillers, and stimulants prescribed for someone else was higher in the intervention group relative to the control group students. These findings indicate that a comprehensive, universal school-based hybrid prevention program can produce positive impacts on sedative use and perceived risks of prescription drug misuse.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs16010154

Authors: Kenneth W. Griffin, Christopher Williams, Sandra M. Sousa, Gilbert J. Botvin

Institutions: George Mason University, Purchase College, State University of New York, National Health Promotion Associates, Weill Cornell Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654