A synthesis review of exemplary drug abuse prevention programs in the United States

In the United States, there has been a concerted emphasis during the past 30 years toward identifying and implementing evidence-based drug prevention programs. The wealth of prevention efficacy research has contributed to the publication of several recent reports on promising, model, and effective programs. We identified five such recent reports, four from the federal government and one from a private foundation, that had nominated and described 100 exemplary prevention programs. Of these 100 programs, 70 reported on evidence of effectiveness. We conducted a qualitative analysis on these 70 exemplary programs. Based on a systematic review process, we identified 10 elements that were characteristic of most (at least 75%) of the programs. These 10 elements are described and discussed in light of public policy issues.