On the Evidence of Things Not Seen: A Systems-Driven Analysis of LifeSkills Training, University and Tobacco Industry Efforts in School-Based Drug Prevention

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Despite recent declines, youth nicotine vaping remains seen by experts as a national public health epidemic. Few, if any, researchers have examined how related high-profile and school-based prevention programs such as LifeSkills Training (LST) are further disseminated with cooperation from research-to-practice entities as well as the tobacco industry. Purpose Provides a systems-driven documentary analysis of efforts pertaining to prevention entities at the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as LST, and the tobacco industry. Methods Employs focused synthesis data collection with constant comparative analyses. Results Likely previously unseen and related to LST, is the degree to which prevention entities with a public mission appear to cooperate among themselves and with the tobacco industry as part of a longstanding, if not elaborate, school-based drug prevention social system characterized by patterned evidence of opaque or furtive representations and/or activities. Discussion Along with limitations, summarizes a research-to-practice social system likely compromising school-based prevention and, in turn, the health of the young people they serve. Theorizes a symbolic politics explanatory mechanism while providing recommendations toward transparency for more informed school-based prevention decision-making. Translation to Health Education Practice Emphasizes the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. (NCHEC) critical thinking and program evaluation competencies.