This cluster-randomized trial of a life skills intervention in Taiwan examined the long-term effects of a program to reduce illicit drug use among grade 7 students. Intervention participants showed significantly lower illicit drug use compared to the control group, and they also had higher perceived behavioral control and better attitudes.
Results showed that retention rates were 71.9% (845/1,176) in the intervention group and 90.7% (830/915) in the control group after the 12-month follow-up. A significantly lower proportion of intervention group participants reported illicit drug use after the first and second booster sessions compared with control group participants (.1% vs. 1.7% and .2% vs. 1.7%, respectively; both p < .05). Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, life skills, and behavioral intention scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of control group after the first and second booster sessions (all p < .001), suggesting that intervention group students tended to avoid drug use.