School-based programmes to reduce and prevent substance use in different age groups: What works for whom?

This article summarises the following original research paper: Onrust S, Otten R, Lammers J et al. (2016) School-based programmes to reduce and prevent substance use in different age groups: What works for whom? Systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Clinical Psychology Review 44: 45–59. Introduction Substance use at a young age is associated with an increased risk of substance use disorders later in life and mental health problems (DeWit et al., 2000; Gil et al., 2004). There are a large range of school-based preventive programmes that focus on tobacco, alcohol and drugs. However, results from previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of substance use prevention programmes are inconclusive. The authors hypothesise that this may be due to the absence of a developmental perspective that considers the psychological and cognitive needs and capacities of children at various ages. Taking a developmental perspective on substance use, the aim of this study was to exam