HOW EFFECTIVE ARE

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG PROGRAMS?

A SUMMARY OF EVALUATION STUDIES

January 1992

Suggested citation:

Health and Welfare Canada(1992)

How Effective Are Alcohol and Other Drug Programs?

A summary of evaluation studies.

(c) Minister of Supply and Services Canada,1991

Également disponible en français sous le titre [add French title name here]

PREFACE

This is the third in a series of highlights reports following the launching of Canada's Drug Strategy in 1987. The goal of the Strategy is to reduce the harmful effects of substance abuse on individuals, families and communities. This present report summarizes a massive literature on the effectiveness of alcohol and other drug programs, in Canada and abroad. Its purpose is to present up-to-date research findings to the general public so that public debate and input on these issues will be well-informed. A second purpose has been to examine Canadian evaluation studies to provide some direction as to how future evaluations might be improved.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report summarizes findings of a technical report, How Effective Are Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention and Treatment Programs? A Review of Evaluation Studies, which was prepared by Marc Eliany of the Health Promotion Studies Unit, Health Services and Promotion Branch, Health and Welfare Canada and Dr. Brian Rush of the Addiction Research Foundation, London, Ontario. This highlights version of the report was edited by Gordon McMillan, under the direction of Marc Eliany.

Information and comments on this report may be addressed to:

Health Promotion Studies Unit

4th Floor, Jeanne Mance Building

Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 1B4

Copies of this report may be obtained by contacting:

Publications Unit

Communications Branch

Health and Welfare Canada

Ottawa

K1A 0K9