Findings from a Large-Scale Empirical Research on Substance Abuse Prevention in Greece

Research indicates that combined psychosocial interventions aiming at reducing or postponing substance use and abuse in schools can be effective. Confronted with a rising number of both young and adult drug users successive geek governments have established an extensive network of prevention centers all over the country end especially in Attica where most citizens live. Our own empirical study –the first of its kind in Greece and with such a large number of both providers and receivers who participated in the research project- has taken a detailed look at both the inner workings of those centers and the actual effects of the psychosocial interventions that aim to reduce substance problems in youth as perceived by both implementers and receivers at school level. Our findings suggest that the majority of the students who participated in the psychosocial interventions expressed the views that they have been taught new coping mechanisms and have enjoyed the whole experience. Proposals are made for the role of policy makers and those involved in planning, implementing and evaluating prevention programs along with the need for more systematic research into methodological issues in the performance stages of substance prevention programs in Greece.