| The
Drug Education School Program evolved from the widely
expressed concern that there should be an alternative to jail for simple
drug offenses, but one that requires more than merely a fine.
N.C. Drug
Education Schools 2009-2010
Student Reports of DES helpfulness
At the conclusion of class, students were
requested to answer evaluative questions regarding personal outcomes
from their Drug Education School participation. Responses follow* (scroll
down):
| How helpful has DES been in… |
Very |
Somewhat |
Not |
N/A |
| (a) improving the quality of life? |
57.7% |
36.5% |
3.1% |
2.7% |
| (b) decreasing illegal drug use |
67.9% |
24.7% |
2.8% |
4.6% |
| (c) decreasing tobacco use |
22.5% |
27.7% |
25.2% |
24.6% |
| (d) decreasing alcohol use |
43.4% |
35.0% |
7.6% |
14.0% |
| (e) teaching new life skills that can be
used |
57.8% |
36.1% |
3.5% |
2.7% |
| (f) increasing control over life |
59.9% |
33.7% |
3.1% |
3.3% |
| (g) staying out of jail or prison |
79.7% |
12.0% |
1.2% |
7.0% |
| |
Yes |
No |
Don't Know |
| The student reports to have decreased substance
usage by the conclusion of class compared to when he was referred
to class. |
87.9% |
3.1% |
9.0% |
| The student predicts he/she will decrease substance
abuse in the future. |
87.1% |
2.1% |
10.8 % |
(*1466 students = 100%)
Summary Analysis of DES Student Reports:
- Indicators that the classes are helpful to students are all in a
positive direction for the 7 outcomes for which questions were asked.
- When one combines the “very helpful” responses with
“somewhat helpful” responses for “improving the
quality of life,” “decreasing illegal drug use,”
“teaching new life skills that can be used,”, “increasing
control over life,” and “staying out of jail or prison,”
over 90% of students report helpfulness on all of these outcomes.
- 87.9% of students report to have decreased substance usage by the
conclusion of class compared to when they were referred to class.
- 87.1% of students predict they will decrease substance abuse in
the future.
Summary Analysis of DES Demographic Data Collected:
- Most DES students are single, white, and male in their teens or
twenties, who have completed 12 or more years of schooling.
- Slightly more than half of them have some form of employment.
- Most DES students pass their classes and are eligible for expungement
of charges.
- Almost one third of students were convicted of possession of a controlled
subtance or drug paraphernalia.
- A small percentage of students had family members who audited classes.
- The median age of DES students who enrolled in classes from July
1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 was 23 years, and the average age was
26.6 years.
- In statistically comparing the 2009-2010 data with the data from
2008-2009, in the area of “unemployment”, a statistically
significnt increase was noted in the students in 2009-2010 reports.
- More DES students were unemployed in the more recent year, and
this finding remained of statistical significance even when comparisons
were only made between students between the ages of 18 and 64 from
year to year.
For more DES statistics, click on link in box to your
left.
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