AUTHOR=Zerhouni Oulmann , Loisy Sandra , Bouthier Renaud , Flaudias Valentin 

TITLE=Preventing new substance use behaviors in youth: evaluation of a two-year comprehensive program

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1339751

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1339751

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p>The Avenir Santé Association implemented a comprehensive prevention program targeting the consumption of the emerging psychoactive substances ecstasy (MDMA), cannabidiol (CBD), and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O).</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>The program was evaluated through four actions: (i) training for association workers (<italic>n</italic> = 84) (ii) on-site student party interventions (<italic>n</italic> = 248), (iii) social network-based prevention (<italic>n</italic> = 186), and (iv) provision of prevention tools for party organizers (<italic>n</italic> = 148).</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>Results showed a significant increase in understanding of emerging substances among association workers, with a pre-training score of <italic>M</italic> = 15.76 (SD = 3.65) and a post-training score of <italic>M</italic> = 18.29 (SD = 2.50). Increased awareness and reflective attitudes toward substance use were observed among young people participating in field actions, with pre- and post-intervention scores for MDMA use intentions being <italic>M</italic> = 15.89 (SD = 4.60) and <italic>M</italic> = 19.17 (SD = 3.33), respectively. Similarly, awareness of CBD effects increased from <italic>M</italic> = 14.18 (SD = 4.14) to <italic>M</italic> = 17.60 (SD = 3.31). Exposure to Instagram posts on N<sub>2</sub>O led to more negative attitudes toward N<sub>2</sub>O among young people, with a significant change in scores from <italic>M</italic> = 8.16 (SD = 1.57) to <italic>M</italic> = 8.42 (SD = 1.26). However, exposure to a website providing information about emerging substances did not produce any significant effect.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Discussion</title><p>In conclusion, this initiative underscores the usefulness of facilitator training, field interventions, and certain online information strategies for substance judgment and usage intentions. Future prevention programs can advantageously incorporate these actions.</p></sec>