Evaluation of results from the ARGOS Program: prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use in adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the ARGOS Community-Educational Program on reducing alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, resisting peer pressure to consume, and on increasing the perception of risk associated with consumption among 3rd ESO and 4th ESO students in the Region of Murcia who received the intervention during 1st ESO and 2nd ESO. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study with 2031 students (53.1% from 3rd ESO and 46.9% from 4th ESO), divided into an intervention group (IG) and a comparison group (CG). Data collected in October 2020 and April 2021 were analyzed using t-tests and logistic regression adjusted by inverse probability weighting and educational centers. RESULTS: In April, in 3rd ESO, the IG showed a lower probability of lifetime alcohol (OR: 0.62) and cannabis use (OR: 0.34) compared to the CG, as well as a 15.1% higher prevalence of resistance to peer pressure to consume cannabis. In October, in 4th ESO, the moderately positive impact persisted, but by April, it had disappeared, with no clear effect on students who participated in the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The ARGOS Community-Educational Program had a limited impact on alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, resistance to peer pressure, and increased risk perception, particularly in 3rd ESO and the early stages of 4th ESO. Reinforcing the program with preventive interventions to consolidate and enhance its impact is deemed necessary.