Gilbert J. Botvin

Advances in prevention science have led to an increased understanding of the etiology and prevention of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drug abuse and other behavioral health problems. A key finding to emerge from this research is that many health problems share common risk and protective factors, suggesting the possibility that a single well-constructed prevention approach could prevent multiple health problems. One such prevention approach is a school-based prevention program called LifeSkills Training (LST). LST has been rigorously tested and demonstrated to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Long-term follow up studies show that prevention effects are durable and long-lasting. Research also shows that it can reduce other health risk behaviors such as violence, delinquency, risky driving, and HIV risk. In addition to teaching skills for resisting media and peer influence to smoke, drink, use illicit drugs or engage in aggressive behavior, LST is also designed to promote general youth development by teaching personal coping skills and important social skills. The presentation will describe LST, summarize research supporting its effectiveness with multiple populations and under different implementation conditions, and discuss its potential for preventing sexual violence and other behavioral health problems.