Structured Questionnaire on School-Based Prevention

EMCDDA - Structured questionnaire on school-based prevention

structured questionnaire on School-based prevention

Project manager:Gregor Burkhart, E-mail:

Overall Rationale

The structured questionnaire on School-Based Prevention intends to give an overview on political priorities, the national situation, the most common types of interventions and practice in mainstream drug prevention in schools and its quality requirements. It contains also some question to put programme-based prevention into an understandable political context.

The questionnaire positions the general national framework for universal school-based drug prevention and gives orientation about general principles. It includes some orientating questions on school-based selective drug prevention

1.Organisational and structural information

Question / Answers
1. Does a national strategy[1] for school-based prevention exist? / Yes, part of National Strategy. There is no special separate strategy for school – based prevention.
2. If yes, which are the specific objectives of the national strategy for school-based drug prevention?[2] / Specific objectives of the national strategy for school-based drug prevention:
1. first of all to develop and finance such drug prevention programmes which are designed to reduce use of drugs in schools, families, recreational facilities for youth; to support projects, for the children who belongs to the social risk groups or who grows in asocial families;
2. to incorporate topics about drug prevention into general programmes of education in secondary schools, to develop extracurricular activities, raise busyness of children after school and on holidays, to use non-governmental organizations and other volunteer structures in order to improve social resistance to the use of drugs;
3. to ensure that all children can get necessary social, legal and psychological help and workers of education facilities and families – organizational; methodical and consultative help;
4. to improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies, education, health-care, social security institutions, non-governmental organizations and communities; to improve the role of local authorities (municipalities) in the process of coordinating drug prevention policy.
5. to consider such factors as the age of children who belong to social risk groups, their culture and family traditions, before the implementation of certain drug prevention efforts.
3. Does legislation or drug strategy exist that requires the implementation of science-based school drug prevention programmes[3]? / Through legislation system[GB1]: YesNoPlanned
Through national plan[GB2]: YesNoPlanned
4. Does a national plan regulating and coordinating the prevention policy[4] for schools exist? / YesNoPlanned, this plan is part of general National programme of drugs control and drug prevention (This programme was adopted by the resolution of parliament, and is action from the 1st of January, 2004)
Besides, for regulating and coordinating the prevention in schools existent law of Ministry of Education and Science.[GB3]
4 a. If yes, indicate the time frame of the plan[5]? / 4 Years. The plan is in action until 2008
4 b. If yes, give details on main objectives, principles of action and actors[6]. / Main principles of action are set in National programme of drugs control and drug prevention:
1) frankness – the programme is open to all Lithuanian citizens, public organizations, state institutions, religious communities, international institutions which would like to participate in it;
2) principle of ensuring maintenance – the programme is implemented with efforts and funding from state institutions and public organizations in order to ensure support of the programme politically, financially, professionally, scientifically and materially;
3) principle of complexity – means of programme are being planned in a complex way and the influence is being done on all factors which influence drug abuse;
4) principle of economical validity – in a process of setting which means of progamme are valid economically, economical expenses of using certain means and its economical worth must be taken into account. Priority is given to the means which are valid from economical point of view;
5) principle of flexible and innovative action - means of programme are being planned while taking into account trends and forecasts of drug abuse, experience and good practice of other countries; also new forms to influence drug abuse must be applied;
6) principle of continuous action – drug abuse is constant social occurrence, so drug prevention and control must be done all the time, the programme and the plan of actions must be renewed periodically;
7) principle of scientific validity – means of drug prevention and control must be valid scientifically and completed only when there is enough rational scientific evidence, which shows probable efficiency of this means;
8) principle of legality – all the efforts of drug control and prevention are based on law.
The actions which must be done in educational facilities (schools) according to National programme of drugs control and drug prevention will be described in an order of the minister of Education and Science named an Order for the prevention of legal offences, nonattendance of school, AIDS, violence and delinquency in schools. This legal document will enter into force soon and its content is described in the section 3 “Quality assurance” of this Questionnaire.
The main actors which will implement National programme of drugs control and drug prevention will be Department of Social Policy under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania; Administrations of Schools; Education Divisions in the Administration of Local Authorities (municipalities); Education divisions in the Administrations of the Governers of Regions.
4 c. If yes, does the plan specify any quantified objectives to be reached[7]? / The objectives which must be reached according to the plan and the changes which must take place after completion of the plan:
1. the growth of drug abuse cases will stabilize, the level of consumption and offer of drugs will reduce;
2. effective control system of drugs and drug prevention will be created; opportunities will be created to choose and apply effective means to reduce economical and social harm of drug abuse;
3. the cooperation of work between various institutions will improve and the coordination of actions in all sectors will be better; more secure environment for all people will be created.
These objectives are set in National programme of drugs control and drug prevention.
5. Do local or regional plans exist?
(If yes, specify the local level)[8] / Yes, exist regional plan and each school have own school plan[GB4]
5.a if yes, is the local level autonomous (or self-governing) in the definition of the local plan? / Local and school plan are autonomous, but plan must foresee all points of national plan
5 b. If yes, where?[9] / Each school, town, region and district have own action plan, which is created according national plan. They foresee additional actions depending on problems in school, region or district (e.g. prevalence of use of alcohol and other drugs, delinquency).
6. Who is actually coordinating the drug prevention in schools[10]? / Ministry of Education and Science (main coordinating agency); Education Divisions in the Administration of Local Authorities (municipalities); School Authorities, coordination group (team) or responsible person in school.
6 a. who is (are) actually delivering the school-based prevention activities[11]?
Multiple selection / School Authorities
Prevention Centers
Law enforcement authorities (regional police commissariats has special youth clubs, which implement drug prevention)

2.Types of interventions observed

1. Which is the most important strategic objective for school-based drug prevention in this selection[12]? / Raise information level on social / health risksRaise info level on help/counselling servicesCreate a protective school environmentImprove / develop self-esteem + self-perceptionDevelop life skillsReduce social exclusionReinforce school role and educational relationship[GB5] of drugs. In order to achieve this objective, drug prevention work in schools is organized in two ways, firstly, drug prevention topics and material are being incorporated into the content of various educational subjects (during the lessons of certain subjects); secondly, through extracurricular activities: prevention excursions, seminars, common indoor work in the evenings, creating and publishing of school newspapers, posters.
2. Which is the second most important objective for school-based drug prevention[13]? / To minimize demand for consumption of drugs in schools, that is to protect schoolchildren from drug dealers and create such an environment that no drugs can reach the school (schoolchildren must feel safe from threat of any drug offer).

a)Rate the importance of different strategies or methods for school-based prevention implemented in practice in your country:

Rating options should reflect the following gradient. As our experiences show, the frequency of interventions, their conceptualisation and evaluation go mostly hand in hand. Therefore, no different rating for each of those variables is proposed, but frequency should be the most relevant to consider.

1 –interventions seldom or not available

2 – interventions sporadically found (no evaluation, poorly conceptualised)

3 – interventions regularly available (some have process-evaluation, sound & plausible concepts)

4 – interventions very common (some have outcome evaluation, clearly theory-led)

This table does not claim to be homogeneous. As it reflects reality of prevention practice across Europe, different levels of interventions are included. All of them are common practice in one or another member state.

1. Development of school policies[14] / 4 (interventions very common) The regulations of conduct in schools does not allow for pupils, teachers and other personnel to smoke, use alcohol or other drugs and etc. in school and territory of school. This requirement applies not only to the pupils but also to all other school staff.
2. Information days about drugs[15] / 3 (interventions regularly available) There are such arrangements in some schools, but this practice is not common and each school creates it’s own plans about the organization of such activities. Monitoring of Ministry of Education and Science of school (region and district) reports showed that a lot of activities are realised in schools. E.g. projects, one, two or three day session about drugs and primary prevention, conferences for pupils and teachers, day without smoking, competition of knowledge, paintings, written composition, photo, video clips, expositions of paintings, booklets, posters and so on. [GB6]
3. External lecturers in schools[16] / 4 (interventions very common) Some years we have projects and team of experts from Teacher Professional Development Centre, Education Development Centre who carry out two days (15 hours) session for teachers, pupils and parents in regional centres or separate schools.[GB7]
Many lecturers from other institutions visit schools. Mainly they are from LithuanianAIDSPreventionCenter; public organizations, such as “Parents against drugs”, “Descendents of Baltic” (organization which propagate soberness from drugs and alcohol).
4. Curricular prevention programmes[17] / 3 (interventions regularly available) Such formal structured programme are being developed now, but they are not in action at present time. Up to now for schools are recommended Drug Use Prevention Programme and Standards (developed by project) for each age group: preschool, elementary school, secondary 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 grades with defined contents and respective lessons. The Drug Prevention Programme is aimed at:

Giving children and schoolchildren relevant knowledge;

Forming mature values;

Forming necessary life (personal and social) skills

5. Training of teachers[18] / 3 (interventions regularly available) Only social workers of schools and biology teachers are being given unspecific training not related to specific prevention programmes.
Teacher Professional Development Centre every year is planning seminars and sessions about primary prevention and early intervention for teachers at the request of them. Every year on such issues is carried out session for consultants for health. Ministry of Education and Science is financing training projects for teachers. Such project carries out Teacher Professional Development Centre. Every year 10-12 two-three days seminars are carrying out by specialists-experts.
6. Prevention topics integrated into various school subjects[19] / 2 (interventions sporadically found). Prevention topics are integrated in Common Education Programmes and Standards and some subjects particularly, e.g. biology, ethics, chemistry, arts lessons and so on.
7. Personal and/or social skills training [20] / 3 (interventions regularly available) The programs for the development of social skills are implemented in schools during lessons according Common Education Programmes and Standards, during all actions for primary prevention and particularly by social workers.
8. Peer-approaches[21] / 3 (interventions regularly available) Peer approaches is very acceptable method.A lot of schools conducted projects “Peer for peer”. Individual consultations are carried out by social workers and class teachers.
9. Interventions for girls only[22] / 1 (interventions seldom or not available). There are no special prevention activities only for girls.
9a. Interventions for boys only[23] / 1 (interventions seldom or not available). There are no special prevention activities only for boys.
10. Early identification and intervention regarding pupils with beginning problems[24] / 1 (interventions seldom or not available). There is no special programme how to work with pupils who has beginning problems with drug addiction.
11. Creative extracurricular activities: workshops, sports, photography, art, theatre play, etc.[25] / 3 (interventions regularly available) There are many arrangements in schools about the harm of drug addiction (prevention excursions, seminars, common indoor work in the evenings, creating and publishing of school newspapers, posters and so on).
12. Events for parents (e.g. parents evenings or seminars)[26] / 3 (interventions regularly available) The work about the problems of drug addiction is going on with parents of schoolchildren who belongs to the risk group (reports are being given to the parents and problems are discussed during class meetings, parents are present during evening – parties, school staff also give them individual consultations, social workers visit their homes and discuss common problems).
Public organization “Parents against drugs” every year organized 10-12 seminars for parents. Seminars conducted specialists-experts with the same programme as for pupils and teachers.
Other strategy or method[27]? / -

b)Settings in addition or complementary to secondary schools in general

Secondary schools are the most common school type for prevention interventions. Please indicate any other school type, where drug prevention is implemented. Please tick the following school settings, only if they are specifically considered in prevention policy and practice:

Professional schools
Primary schools
Special schools
Kindergarten / Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No information / -

3.Quality assurance

Question / Categories
1. Do quality standards or guidelines[28] for the implementation of school-based prevention activities exist? / Special standards or guidelines for the implementation of school-based prevention activities do not exist, all the main principles of what school drugs policy is supposed to look like are set in general legal documents such as National programme of drugs control and drug prevention and National strategy of drugs prevention and control which is adopted by the resolution of government of the Republic of Lithuania and is in action from 2004 01 01 until 2008 01 01. It is important to mention that specific standards for schools will be set by an order of the minister of Education and Science, this legal document, named an Order for the prevention of legal offences, nonattendance of school, AIDS, violence and delinquency in schools is now in preparation and will soon enter into force.
For schools are recommended Drug Use Prevention Programme and Standards (developed by project 2001) for each age group: preschool, elementary school, secondary 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 grades with defined contents and respective lessons for guideline.
1 a. If yes, are the quality standards [29]or guidelines mandatory or voluntary? / General standards, set in National programme of drugs control and drug prevention and National strategy of drugs prevention and control are mandatory.
Drug Use Prevention Programme and Standards (developed by project 2001) are voluntary.
1 b. If yes, is adherence to the quality standards or guidelines[30] prerequisites for funding? / No
2. Do guidelines or legislation for developing drug related policies in schools exist[31]? / These guidelines will be set by a new order of the minister of Education and Science (legal document, named an Order for the prevention of legal offences, nonattendance of school, AIDS, violence and delinquency in schools) which will enter into force soon.
2 a. If yes, give examples or such guidelines. If possible, indicate sources.[32] / The new order of the minister of Education and Science (mentioned above) will set such guidelines for drug related policies in schools:

groups for prevention work in each school must be created. These groups must analyze situation in school and prepare a local plan of action to prevent use of drugs. The plan of action with proposals how to improve the situation, must be sent to the institution which is a founder of the school;
strict control of school territory must be enforced and all the strangers who enter the school must be registered and identified, the police must be informed about all known or suspected cases of drug use in the school;
school communities must be informed about the content of all legal documents which regulates drugs prevention and responsibility for distribution of drugs;
school communities must be informed about work and functions of all institutions which are doing prevention work against drugs;
special course about the harm of drugs must be introduced into the content of education in each school;
qualifications of teachers, social workers and other school staff must be raised in such way, that they can get more information and knowledge about drugs prevention and abuse problems.

2 b. If yes, are such guidelines mandatory or voluntary?[33] / The guidelines according to the new order of the minister of Education and Science will be mandatory
3. Do rules or policies exist on management of drug incidents in schools (including legal drugs)[34]? / According to the legal documents 2002 07 05 order Nr. 1275 of the minister of Education and Science for the prevention of tobacco, alcohol and drugs use in educational facilities it is prohibited to use any drugs in school and this prohibition applies both to to the schoolchildren and all school personnel. The police must be informed about all known or suspected cases of drug use in the school.
3 a. If yes, are such rules voluntary or mandatory[35]? / Rules, described above, are mandatory
4. Does training in school-based prevention methodology for teachers or other professionals exist?[36] / Special training is not compulsory to all school staff and teachers, only for some of them, that is social workers and school administration personnel. For class educators and other teachers special training is recommended.
4 a. If yes, which are the contents and duration (average) of training?[37] / Duration as usually is 15 hours (two days). Contents: Raised problem, information of drugs, primary prevention, early intervention, life skills, work with parents.
4 b. If yes, is such training voluntary or mandatory prior to involvement in school-based prevention?[38] / Special training about drug abuse prevention for social workers and school administration personnel is mandatory.
5. Do national standards for evaluation of school-based drug prevention exist?[39] / There is no such standards, evaluation of school-based prevention programme is fulfilled on the basis of annual reports presented by each school to the Department of Social Policy under the Ministry of Education and Science.
5 a. If yes, describe the evaluation standards and their use. [40] If possible, indicate sources. / -
5 b. If yes, Is their use voluntary or mandatory?[41] / -
6. Do specific research programmes or funds exist, which facilitate and promote drug prevention and evaluation research in your country?[42] / -
7. Which are the main centres for drug prevention and evaluation research (e.g. universities, institutes, etc.)?[43] /

Drug control department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.Adress: Vilniaus st. 33, LT-01119 Vilnius; tel: (8-5) 237-52-18, (8-5) 237-52-19; fax: (8-5) 237-52-17; e-mail: ;
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Address: A. Volano str. 2/7, LT-01516 Vilnius;
fax +370 52 61 20 77;
e-mail: ;
Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania.Address: A.Vivulskio str. 11, LT-03610 Vilnius; tel: (+ 370 5) 2664 201; fax: (+370 5) 2664 209; e-mail: lskio str. 11, 03610 Vilnius, phone (+370 5) 2664 201, fax (+370 5) 2664 209,
e-mail: .
Lithuanian AIDS center. Address: Nugaletoju str. 14D, LT-2016 Vilnius; tel. +3705 2300125; Fax. +3705 2300123; e-mail: ;

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