Research and Effectiveness of Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST)

IS LST A RESEARCH-BASED PROGRAM? 
Yes! LST is one of the few scientifically research-based programs available. It is the most comprehensive and rigorously tested prevention program in America today. Dr. Botvin and his colleagues at the Cornell Medical Center Institute for Prevention Research have continuously researched the program for over 25 years. Click here to view a summary of the studies supporting the evaluation of the program.

DO THE REDUCTIONS IN DRUG USE PRODUCED BY THE LST PROGRAM LAST?
Yes. Studies show that the LST program produces reductions in drug use that are long-lasting. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (April 12, 1995) found that the LST program produced reductions in the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use lasting more than 6 years after the initial baseline measurement. These reductions lasted throughout junior and senior high school.

What demographic does the LST program work for?
The LST program has been tested with a broad range of adolescents. So far, it has worked for every type of adolescent. Evaluation studies show that it works for White, Black, and Hispanic youth. It also works for boys and girls, and for adolescents living in suburban and urban environments.

What makes the LST program more effective than other programs?
One of the distinguishing features of the LST program is that it is based on sound science. Many contemporary prevention programs are based on hunches, guesses, and wishful thinking. The LST program, however, is based on nearly 25 years of research concerning the causes of drug abuse and how to best prevent it. Another distinguishing feature of the LST program is that it emphasizes proven skills-training teaching methods.

Are all LifeSkills programs equally effective?
No. Several programs now use "life skills" in their title or refer to themselves as "life skills" programs. But, only the Botvin LifeSkills Training program has been subjected to extensive testing in over a dozen rigorous evaluation studies and proven to decrease adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE LST PROGRAM?
Studies testing the effectiveness of the LST program show that it can reduce the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use by as much as 87%. And it can also reduce multiple drug use by up to 66%. This makes the LST program the most effective program of its kind. These effects last through high school and have been published in the Journal of American Medical Association. Research conducted for the elementary version of the program shows a 61% reduction in tobacco use and increased self esteem effects. Botvin LifeSkills Training has also been shown to reduce violent and aggressive behavior.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT WORKS?
The LST program has been extensively evaluated in over two dozen major federally-funded studies by researchers at Cornell University Medical College. In these studies, schools have been randomly assigned to either receive the LST program or serve in a comparison control group. Comparisons of these groups before, immediately after the prevention group received the LST program, and at additional follow-up intervals show that the students who participated in the LST program had dramatically lower levels of tobacco, alcohol, and/or illicit drug use than controls who did not receive the LST program. These studies have withstood the scrutiny of drug abuse prevention experts and have been published in major scientific journals. Once the results of the research are established, they are evaluated by experts through a process called "peer review". The results of the peer review process are then published in leading medical and other scientific journals.