Too Good for Violence
Problems addressed
Drug abuse
Externalizing behaviors/problems
Alcohol abuse
Socioeconomic vulnerability
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Children (4 to 13 years)
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a school program for students aged 8 to 18, designed to encourage the development of interpersonal skills for conflict resolution and resistance skills to prevent the use of psychoactive substances.
It follows an interactive teaching model through games, roleplays, small group activities, and classroom discussions. The program includes components to involve families and the whole school. The family component includes newsletters and an interactive task.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown a 50% reduction in the intention to drink alcohol; a 45% reduction in the intention to engage in aggressive behavior [1]; a reduction in aggressive or violent behavior; and a significant improvement in social and emotional protection factors, including attitudes towards refusing to use drugs [2]. There was no significant effect in terms of intention to smoke tobacco and cannabis, or on socially inappropriate behavior.

Bibliographic reference

[1] Bacon, T. P. (2001). Impact on High School Students' Behaviors and Protective Factors: A Pilot Study of the Too Good for Drugs and Violence Prevention Program. Research Bulletin - Florida Educational Research Council, v. 32, n. 3/4.

[2] Bacon, T (2003). Technical report: The effects of the Too Good for Violence prevention program on student behaviors and protective factors. Tampa, FL: CE Mendez Foundation, Inc.

Information source