Abstract

PUERTOLAS-GRACIA, Beatriz; JUAREZ, Olga; ARIZA, Carles  and  VILLALBI, Joan R. Universal prevention of substance use in school settings: the need for continuous monitoring. Gac Sanit [online]. 2022, vol.36, n.5, pp.493-495.  Epub Mar 13, 2023. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.06.008.

This paper documents the management of two programs for the universal prevention of substance use offered in secondary schools by the public health services of the city of Barcelona, reviewing the period from 1989-1990 to 2016-2017. Both programs had proven effectiveness in evaluations with a comparison group, they are promoted by the public health agency free of cost, and are taught by teachers, using standardized manuals with support materials and training. The coverage achieved over recent years declined from 40% to 25%. Changes observed in the acceptance and implementation of these programs could be related with logistics and follow-up by the public health services, changes in substance availability, and with budget cuts in education. The monitoring of effective programs by public health services is essential to preserve their actual implementation.

Keywords : Public health administration; Program evaluation; Substance use; Prevention.

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