Page 40 - Focus on Prevention: Strategies and Programs to Prevent Substance Use

 In an outcome evaluation—looking at results— How Can You Tell Whether the Prevention
you may collect data on participants’ knowledge, Strategy Made a Difference?
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with respect to Collecting information on results is not enough. To
the substance use issue you are addressing. The reach conclusions, you must answer the question
specific information you collect will depend on “Compared to what?”
the objectives of your strategy and your ability to
collect information. Information about participants Generally, you can compare two elements: time and
typically is collected by using questionnaires, exposure to prevention activities. The most basic time
interviews, or focus groups. comparison—before and after—can be expanded to
track conditions across several time points.
You also may be able to get information on
behaviors in a target audience from school, police, A simple comparison based on exposure would look at
or other routine reports. In strategies aimed at differences in outcomes between audience members
the environment, outcomes may involve changes who participated in prevention activities and those
such as new policies and reductions in alcohol or who did not. More detailed comparisons can look at
tobacco ads or availability. how heavily participants were involved in prevention
activities or the specific activities they experienced—
such as different messages or curricula.

Share as You Learn Time and exposure comparisons can be combined—
for example, collecting relevant facts about
participants and non-participants both before
 Communicate throughout the evaluation and after activities are conducted. Any of these
process—include the evaluation team in comparisons can be expanded to look for differences
planning meetings and keep sponsors and key between settings or subgroups.
personnel informed of progress.
 Develop a 30-second “elevator” message that
you can deliver briefly in an informal setting—
once you spark interest, you can elaborate.
 Know your evaluation audiences—find out
what they need to know and why.
 Make reports interesting—use colors, graphics,
and language that match the style of the
audience.

 Use different ways of communicating—employ
verbal presentations, meetings, interviews,
flyers, press releases, emails, and videos to
highlight findings and engage audiences.

 Keep it short—many listeners will not digest
more than a few major points, so give
audiences the information they need without
overwhelming them.

36 Focus On Prevention