Effectiveness of Fresh Start: A Randomized Study of a School-Based Program to Retain a Negative Attitude Toward Substance Use in Secondary School Freshmen

Abstract

Fresh Start had small but significant effects on the attitudes toward smoking, alcohol use and cannabis use. The majority of secondary outcome measures were not influenced by Fresh Start, although a small, adverse effect was found on the perceived social acceptance of cannabis use by friends. Timing of the intervention within the schoolyear did not influence its effectiveness. Conclusions/Importance: Fresh Start can help to delay the development of positive attitudes toward substance use in secondary school freshmen. Strengths and limitations, implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Prevention of Alcohol Consumption Programs for Children and Youth: A Narrative and Critical Review of Recent Publications

“…On the other hand, Kim et al (2021) found significant improvements in attitudes and intention toward alcohol drinking prevention behavior. The results observed by Onrust et al (2017) ( Fresh Start ) were minimal but significant effects on attitudes toward alcohol were seen. The Preventure program ( Lammers et al, 2017 ) found significant intervention effects on reducing alcohol use within the anxiety sensitivity group and reducing binge drinking and binge drinking frequency within the sensation-seeking group.…”

“…Among the programs that are based on behavioral intention are Kim et al (2021) (web-based) and Onrust et al (2017) ( Fresh Start program), based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour which states that behavioral intention is the direct determinant of changing to healthy behavior and that people with solid intentions strive to achieve the goal of not drinking and are more easily motivated to change their behavior ( Ajzen and Madden, 1986 ). Mantente REAL ( Kulis et al, 2020 ) (uses ecological risk and Resiliency Theory , Communication Competence Theory , and Narrative Theory ), a Spanish language version of keepin’ it REAL (kiREAL), increases the use of culturally accepted drug resistance skills and promotes non-permissive norms and attitudes about substance use ( Gosin et al, 2003 ).…”

“…Beginning with school-based prevention programs based in Theory of Planned Behavior ( Kim et al, 2021 ), Refuse, Remove, Reasons ( Mogro-Wilson et al, 2017 ), Preventure ( Lammers et al, 2017 ), The GOOD Life ( Vallentin-Holbech et al, 2019 ), Mantente REAL ( Kulis et al, 2020 ), Motivational Interviewing ( Reyes-Rodríguez et al, 2019 ), Primavera ( Diaz et al, 2021 ), Fresh Start ( Onrust et al, 2017 ), and Bridges/Puentes ( Gonzales et al, 2018 ), all are effective in increasing attitudes and intention toward alcohol prevention behavior, decreasing social norms and acceptance of alcohol, reducing insobriety, and increasing perceptions about negative consequences of drinking. In contrast to this, the prevention program called Unplugged not only did not show effectiveness in the study by Valente et al (2019) , but even seemed to increase alcohol use initiation in the studies by Sanchez et al (2017) and Sanchez et al (2018) .…”

“… Kim et al (2021) ; Onrust et al (2017) ( Fresh Start ), and Mogro-Wilson et al (2017) ( RRR ) found improvements in attitudes and intention toward alcohol consumption, decreased social norms and acceptance of alcohol, and increased perceptions about negative consequences of alcohol use. According to a systematic review ( Jones and Gordon, 2017 ), children’s attitudes toward alcohol become more positive as they get older.…”

Dertig jaar preventie van alcohol, roken en drugs op scholen

“…Ouders worden via een ouderavond en een huiswerkopdracht actief bij het lesprogramma betrokken. De interventie is op effectiviteit onderzocht in een gerandomiseerd gecontroleerd onderzoek met 1.026 leerlingen, waaruit bleek dat Frisse Start zorgt voor een negatievere houding ten opzichte van roken, alcohol drinken en blowen [6].…”