Bridging the Gap between Substance Use Prevention Theory and Practice

Abstract

Reducing SU has been an elusive goal, and SU prevention programs for the past 30 years have had, at best, only modest success. Although programs have relied increasingly on theory and increasingly more comprehensive theory, they still have a long way to go to make full use of SU theories. Therefore, it is our belief that SU could be reduced further if program planners relied more on theory when designing their programs. A heavy reliance on theory could build programs upon a foundation of (1) less than obvious risk and protective factors, (2) multiple risk and protective factors that are modifiable within the context of the intervention, (3) careful consideration of how audience characteristics might moderate or interact with program effects, and (4) realistic considerations of the magnitude and immediacy of program effects. Without a heavy reliance on comprehensive theory, SU prevention might only continue its 30-year trend of modest success.