A number of policies and initiatives have been implemented in recent years to try to improve the link between drug prevention programming decisions and the available research literature. However, interpreting the evaluative evidence for drug prevention can be difficult given the myriad of programs, varying degrees of methodological rigor, and mixed research findings.

This entry will provide a general overview of the evidence for drug prevention programs (including the prevention of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drug use), identifying programs, components and features that have been found to be particularly effective as well as those that are more likely to be ineffective. The research evidence is divided into four main forms of prevention programs: school-based, family, mass media, and community programs. A review of limitations ...