STARS (Start Taking Alcohol Risks Seriously) for Families
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Description

This is a health promotion program to prevent the consumption of alcohol by adolescents aged 11 to 15 in elementary and high school, as well as their families. The objective is to postpone the onset of alcohol consumption until adulthood.
The program seeks to identify risk factors for alcohol consumption in young people from vulnerable communities and to offer information and resources aimed at prevention. Through a multicomponent motivational model of prevention structured in phases, a multidisciplinary team works on the recognition of social pressure situations that may lead to alcohol consumption and awareness of health damages. The program consists of three phases:
1) Health counseling (with health professionals or social workers);
2) Mailing of informational materials to parents with instructions on how to prevent the onset of teenage drinking; and
3) Weekly homework assignments with activities for parents and children regarding prevention and abstention.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that there was no statistically significant impact on the frequency of alcohol consumption, quantity of alcohol consumption, or alcohol abuse [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Werch, C. E., Pappas, D. M., Carlson, J. M. & DiClemente, C. C. (1998). Short- and long-term effects of a pilot prevention program to reduce alcohol consumption. Substance Use & Misuse, 33(11), 2303–2321. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826089809056259

Information source