This program is for adolescents who are 12 to 16 years old.

Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV (H2P), a multi-sector community- and school-based program, is designed to prevent or reduce substance abuse and sexual activity among adolescents by improving knowledge and skills related to drugs and HIV/AIDS.

Results from a study conducted with predominantly African American middle school students indicated that youth who participated in the H2P program demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge of HIV/AIDS and perception of risks associated with alcohol, drug, and marijuana use.  However, no significant differences were found between the treatment and comparison group on measures of drug, alcohol, or marijuana use.

H2P utilizes elements of popular culture, such as language, arts, and history to engage adolescents, increase their self-efficacy and refusal skills, and teach them about risks associated with drug use and unsafe sexual behavior. This program consists of 10 sessions.  Sessions 1 to 4 are implemented in a school or after-school setting and focus on the following:

• Build self-efficacy skills;
• Develop conflict resolution and resistance skills;
• Identify norms and beliefs;
• Increase knowledge of drugs and HIV/AIDS;
• Discuss healthy options to sex and drugs;
• Use positive communication with peers, parents, and teachers; and
• Understand differences between negative and positive popular culture characteristics.

Sessions 5 to 10, implemented in a retreat format, consist of classroom time and free time:

• Classroom time - students role-play, create a rap, and participate in group discussions related to substance abuse prevention, resistance skills, and information on sexual behavior; and 
• Free time - students participate in structured activities such as board games, sports activities, and arts and crafts.

The program is delivered using hip-hop culture, interactive multimedia, and different teaching methods such as learning and recreational activities, team-building experiences, mentoring, and opportunities for creative expression.

H2P has been implemented in Prince George's County, Maryland, with adolescents attending an urban middle school during the 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007 school years.

This program is delivered by youth engagement professionals such as educators, counselors and trainers. Facilitators must complete a 2-day, 12-hour training prior to implementing H2P. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring school administration, parent, and participant buy-in; recruiting facilitators and ensuring they complete training; and finding suitable locations and times to deliver the in-school/after-school sessions and the retreat portion of the program.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing H2P, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program consists of 10 2-hour sessions. Sessions 1 to 4 are implemented in a school or after-school setting. Sessions 5 to 10 are implemented in a 3-day retreat or recreational setting.

Please use details in the Contact section for information on implementation costs.

To move H2P to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185     Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Dr. Hicks Harper by phone 1-301-877-1525, email starr@ypci.org or visit https://hiphop2prevent.com/

https://hiphop2prevent.com/