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All Stars is being evaluated in schools in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky in a research project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The project is evaluating the effectiveness of the program on preventing alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalant use, on suppressing violence and delinquency, and on postponing sexual activity among teens.
The evaluation research is being conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky headed by Dr. Nancy Harrington, principal investigator of the evaluation study. Too many prevention programs are evaluated by the person who was the program developer. By involving the University of Kentucky an entirely objective and independent evaluation can be completed.
To evaluate All Stars, eight middle schools are serving as test sites. Five of these schools received All Stars as delivered by trained specialists. In three schools the program is being delivered through Teacher Based Guidance courses, similar to homerooms. Six schools are serving as no treatment controls.
Immediate
Outcomes
The effects of All Stars on student drug use and violence were measured in May, 1997, immediately after the delivery of the program. The prevalence and frequency of drug use increase as young people grow older. Compared to the control group, both versions of the program reduced drug use.
The goal was to reduce the prevalence of sexual activity. All Stars had a short tem outcome that suppressed onset of sexual activity.
The goal of the program was to also reduce fighting among students. These effects were generally small and not significant.
