Immediate and Six- Month Outcomes of a School-Based Substance Prevention Program (Project TND) for Iranian High School Students

AbstractThe main purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a school-based substance prevention program would provide any change in behaviors associated with substance abuse and aggression in Iranian high school students? This paper outlines the outcomes of immediate and six month follow-up of a 9-session version of Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND). A total number of 1180 students from 8 high schools (41 classrooms) of Zahedan in southeast of Iran were recruited and surveyed at a pre-test. The participants ranged from 15-18 years of age. Sample high schools were selected randomly and assigned to either intervention or control conditions. The students in interventional condition (21 classrooms) participated in project TND curriculum. Delivery of curricula took place over a period of 6-weeks. Results of first and second post-tests revealed noticeable changes in using illicit drugs, Truancy from schools, physical fighting and carrying weapon during past month among students in intervention condition. The findings confirmed that Project TND can be implemented effectively with students of Iranian high schools as well as high risk students in western countries