Search results

Drug use remains a major public health problem among youth in the United States. Effective implementation of evidence-based interventions for youth is critical for reducing the burden of drug use and its consequences. The Michigan Model for Health (MMH) is a universal prevention curriculum that has demonstrated efficacy in reducing adolescent substance use. Fidelity is essential to intervention effectiveness, yet youth rarely receive evidence-based interventions (EBIs) as intended; this is partly due to a poor fit between the intervention and the context. The disconnect between the EBI and context is especially pronounced among underserved and vulnerable populations, including among youth exposed to trauma. Trauma is a potent risk factor for substance use, abuse, and the development of substance use disorders. Consequently, there is a critical need to design and test effective, cost-efficient implementation strategies to optimize the fidelity of school-based drug use prevention to meet better the needs of youth exposed to trauma. The study designed and tested a multi-component implementation strategy to improve intervention-context fit and enhance fidelity and effectiveness.

This study was using a 2-group, mixed method, randomized trial design, this pilot study compared standard implementation (Replicating Effective Programs [REP]) versus enhanced REP to deliver MMH. REP is an implementation strategy bundle that promotes EBI fidelity through curriculum packaging, training, and as-needed technical assistance. Enhanced REP incorporates tailoring of the EBI package and training and deploys customized implementation support (i.e., implementation facilitation). The research focuses on youth at heightened risk of drug use and its consequences due to trauma exposure.