Planning Model for Successful Drug-Free Schools. Program Report.

This report proposes a planning model for successful drug-free schools based on the idea that the problems of drug-abusing youth are not solely the responsibility of the school but are the responsibilities of both the schools and community institutions. It notes that the process of planning for drug-free schools will require the school to identify a team of committed and interested staff, and that strong district leadership, commitment, and support for the team process is a necessary foundation. It advocates school activities being integrated with community activities and school personnel being joined by representatives from the community, such as substance abuse treatment institutions; enforcement agencies; and social, political, and religious organizations. The five phases of the planning model discussed are: (1) needs assessment and planning the information base; (2) planning the implementation; (3) implementation of school programs; (4) evaluation of school programs; and (5) dissemination of school progress. This five-phase comprehensive planning model describes both the process and the content for a comprehensive prevention and intervention strategy for schools and communities. The report concludes that schools will benefit from the time invested in planning, needs identification, and goal setting which will result in programs appropriate for the school and community; and that ongoing evaluation and dissemination will ensure effective, targeted, and publicly supported programs to achieve drug-free schools. (ABL)