Trends in Substance Use Prevention Program Participation Among Adolescents in the U.S.

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the article was to examine national trends in adolescent participation in substance use prevention programs (SUPP). MethodsWe examine 15 years of cross-sectional data (2002–2016) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Main outcomes were participation in past-year school and community-based SUPP (no/yes). Logistic regression was used to examine trends in the prevalence of participation. ResultsParticipation in school-based SUPP decreased significantly from 48% among adolescents in 2002–2003 to 40% in 2015–2016, a 16.5% proportional decline. Significant declines for school-based participation were observed in all demographic and drug involvement subgroups examined. Youth participation in community-based SUPP also decreased significantly. However, this downward trend was significant only among younger teens, females, youth in very low (<$20,000) and moderate ($40,000–$74,999) income households and in rural areas. ConclusionsParticipation in SUPP has decreased since the early 2000s, with noteworthy declines among Latino youth and youth from rural areas and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.