Preventing Drug Use Among Youth Through Community Outreach. The Military's Pilot Programs.

Abstract : The United States has a substantial drug problem. The nation could benefit from drug prevention programs, and these are thought to be more effective when many program providers are involved. Congress, in an attempt to marshal additional forces for prevention, directed the military to establish pilot community outreach programs to reduce the demand for illegal drugs among youth.' The military has a number of special assets that can be employed in preventing drug abuse among young people, although there are also limitations. Among the various components of the military, the National Guard has a special niche because of its dual mission of state and federal service. As part of the legislation, Congress directed the Secretary of Defense to report on the effectiveness of the pilot outreach programs and make recommendations regarding their continuation. RAND is assisting the Department of Defense with that report, and this document discusses a RAND study that examined the potential suitability of the military for such roles, the pilot programs that were implemented, their effectiveness, how the programs affected the military, and some desirable attributes of military-run prevention programs for youth. The information for the study was gathered largely through site visits and telephone interviews with program administrators, staff, participating youth, parents, and community leaders. A literature review, background research, and supporting calculations supplemented these efforts. JMD