EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Results of the evaluation of the D.A.R.E. Rx/OTC curriculum produced evidence of  effectiveness of the Rx/OTC curriculum. Below are design highlights and key findings from the study.

Evaluation Design

  • Participants were selected from elementary, middle, and high schools in Montgomery County, MD and Greenbrier County, WV; 7 schools total
  • More than 750 students from 5th, 7th and 9th grade classes were recruited for the study. This exceeds the number of students originally proposed for the study, which were 720 students.
  • Measures to assess knowledge of Rx/OTC drugs, appropriate use, and perceived risk of abuse
  • Longitudinal design with outcome measures before and after Rx/OTC curriculum
  • Focus groups with parents to assess effectiveness of parent/community video

Findings
Among the notable findings for 5th graders, results indicated statistically significant improvements after the Rx/OTC curriculum in the following outcomes:

  • Definition of a medicine
  • Distinction between Rx and OTC medicines
  • Rx drugs prescribed for use by only one person
  • Proper disposal of Rx drugs
  • Accurate measurement of dosages
  • Overall percentage of correct responses

Among the notable findings for 7th graders, results indicated statistically significant improvements after the Rx/OTC curriculum in the following outcomes:

  • Distinction between Rx and OTC medicines
  • Rx drugs prescribed for use by only one person
  • Careful reading of drug facts labels
  • Belief that abuse of Rx/OTC is as dangerous as other drugs

In addition, after experiencing the curriculum, 7th graders were significantly more likely to believe that children could use prescription medicine without the permission of their parent guardian. There was a similar trend (though not statistically significantly) to believe that if they have read the label carefully, children over 12 can take OTC medicine without parental permission. The meaning of these findings is somewhat ambiguous, because adolescents are expected to gradually assume more responsibility for their OTC medication. Even with respect to prescription medicines, adolescents should be able to take additional dosages (e.g., of an inhaler) after initial parental permission and instruction have been received.

Rx & OTC Evaluation 3

Results for 9th graders indicated significant improvements in the following outcomes:

  • Awareness that people use Rx/OTC drugs to get high
  • Believe that it is unsafe to share Rx/OTC drugs
  • Belief that it is harmful to abuse OTC drugs
  • Knowledge that it is illegal to use Rx drugs not prescribed for you
  • Knowledge of negative health effects of Rx/OTC abuse
  • Knowledge of the risk of addiction to Rx drugs
  • Perceived likelihood of refusing an offer to use Rx/OTC drugs
  • Overall percentage of correct responses

Focus group results indicated the video produce marked increases in knowledge of the risk of Rx/OTC abuse, knowledge useful for detection of Rx/OTC abuse, and perceived efficacy to influence their children towards appropriate use of Rx/OTC use. Parents indicated that the video made them realize they need to talk to their kids about the problem and control access to Rx/OTC medicines in the house.

 

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CITATION
Darnell, A. and Emshoff, J. 2008. Findings from the evaluation of the D.A.R.E. prescription and over-the-counter drug curriculum, Atlanta, GA: EMStar Research.