Search

This book describes an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of model school-based drug prevention programs at reducing cocaine consumption. It compares prevention's cost-effectiveness with that of several enforcement programs and with that of treating heavy cocaine users. It also assesses the cost of nationwide implementation of model prevention programs and the implementation's likely effect on the nation's cocaine consumption. There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the magnitude of the effects of school-based drug prevention programs. However, a few things are clear. Nationwide implementation of a model program today is affordable, but it would not dramatically affect the course of drug use and the benefits would take years to accrue. Alternatively, the range of cost-effectiveness estimates derived for this book for prevention is comparable to that previously derived for different enforcement interventions. Furthermore, implementing model prevention programs seems to be justifiable in the sense that the benefits produced would likely outweigh the costs of the resources used. Includes tables and figures depicting results of the analysis. Ten appendixes address the implications and effects of cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and cigarette use. (Contains 82 references.) (Author/MKA)

School-based drug prevention programs target not only the use of illicit drugs such as marijuana but also licit substances such as alcohol and tobacco. These programs thus have the potential of benefiting society not only by reducing the violence and criminal justice costs associated with abuse of alcohol and cigarettes. This opportunity for multiple benefits raises the interesting question, which is most important? Is school-based drug prevention beneficial mainly as a weapon in the war against illegal drugs, or is it more valuable as a promoter of public health through reduction of licit-substance abuse? The authors analyze the costs and effectiveness of several scientifically evaluated drug prevention programs, along with the social costs of the use of various substances. They verify previous findings that the social benefits of drug prevention can exceed its costs, and they conclude that approximately two-thirds of the programs' value to the public stems from reduction in the use of alcohol and tobacco. Implications for program funding are drawn, and the limitations of prevention are discussed. (Contains 92 references and 41 tables.) (Author)

This book is for those wishing to make a major gift to an institution of higher education who are looking for an intellectual framework for deciding how much to give to which school, for which purposes, over what periods of time, or with which (if any) restrictions. Higher education fundraising has grown increasingly sophisticated, but higher education philanthropy has remained in large part an amateur exercise. A donor can give an institution any amount for any purpose at any time, but there are some subtleties concerning the gifts that are most effective in achieving the donors purpose. Some gifts cannot be accepted; an example would be gifts not available to underrepresented minorities. Other gifts may not be accepted because accepting the gift is prohibitively expensive. Higher education philanthropy can be viewed as a formal social exchange between an individual or family donor. The most common situation is for donors to make a gift and trust the institution's leadership to identify the schools needs and priorities. Other donors, those with an agenda to satisfy or those who may be categorized as social entrepreneurs, want to fund something that may not be a top priority for the school. In this situation, a donation may involve negotiation. Ultimately the process that works best for a donor depends on his or her individual interests and needs. One appendix describes additional resources for donors, and the second contains the interview protocol used to gather information for this report. (Contains 20 figures, 6 tables, and 60 references.) (SLD)