Process evaluation of a drug school preventive program in Costa Rica

Abstract

This article present the results obtained through the evaluation of the program of drugs abuse prevention denominated "The Adventure of Life." The program is based on the approach of education for health by promoting healthy and autonomous lifestyles, through the development of four thematic frameworks: self-esteem, abilities for life, drugs, and healthy habits of life. The main objective proposed is the prevention of drugs. The application of this program was carried out during the second semester of the year 2000, focused on the nine public primary schools of Tibás City, which included 2,960 children, by means of the educational training of 94 teachers of fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The evaluation applied to the teachers was carried out by means of two different questionnaires: the training received (answered by the 98,1% of the teachers trained) and the program’s setting up (answered by the 64,9% of the teachers trained). The received training had a very positive valuation (average qualification of 93,12) in reaching the objectives of training proposed. In connection with the application of the program, this one had a favorable acceptance –according teachersamong the children (88,3% of the teachers), by contributing to the personal and social development of the teachers (94,5%) and the students. As an example, 64,4% of the teachers said that the program helped them to have a better relationship with others children.