This program is for youth who are 10 to 14 years old, their parents, members of the school community, and community leaders.

Midwestern Prevention Project (MPP), also known as Project STAR (Students Taught Awareness and Resistance), is a multi-sector program that is implemented in stages and is designed to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use in youth through the cooperative efforts of the school, community, family, and media sectors.

Evaluations of MPP demonstrate mixed results. Adolescents who attended schools that administered the program were more likely than members of a comparison group to reduce their overall rates of cigarette use. Such effects were maintained over time but appeared to fade within 2 years of the program’s initiation. Other studies suggest there may be potential effects on marijuana and amphetamine use; however, findings related to those outcomes are mixed.

MPP consists of five different phases:

• School Program:  Students strengthen their ability to resist peer pressure through a combination of modeling, role-playing, open discussions, and homework that is designed to involve family members;
• Mass Media:  TV, radio, and print broadcasts inform the community about the program and its objectives and create public awareness;
• Parent Program:  Parents are encouraged to participate in a school committee that includes four to six parents, two student peer leaders, and the principal. This committee reviews school drug policies, encourages parents to support a drug-free environment for young people, and organizes trainings that teach parents how to discuss important concerns with their adolescents;
• Health Policy:  Local community governments launch policy changes on drug abuse prevention in support of a no tolerance campaign; and
• Community Organization:  Leaders are trained to support drug prevention activities by using awards and recognition of program participants and implementers.  A community organization is formed to help implement additional drug prevention programs and activities.

Through the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use, the MPP also hopes to prevent future use of other illicit substances.

MPP was first implemented in 1984 in Kansas City, Missouri. The program was then implemented in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana. The extent to which the program is being currently implemented is unclear.

Training is required for teachers, parents, and community leaders, and training costs are included in the cost of the program implementation materials.  Cost is based on training a minimum of 20 teachers and 20 parent group members. Each additional group being trained on the same day or the same trip costs an additional $4,000. Extra trainer manuals are about $125.

Considerations for implementing this program include understanding this is a 5-year program and facilitators should be highly motivated and committed to completing the program; making arrangements for facilitators to receive training; obtaining funds to cover the overall cost of program implementation; securing community, school administrative, and parental support and buy in; and ensuring the program is delivered with fidelity.

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

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

During the first year, 10 to 13 sessions are delivered in the school and five in the second year. Peer counseling and other support activities are available during the third, fourth, and fifth years. Mass media campaigns and parent, community, and health programming initiatives are implemented throughout the duration of the program, and time to execute these activities varies.

Implementation cost over a 3-year period is approximately $175,000. This cost includes training and curriculum materials for 1,000 students.

To move MPP to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed to confirm the positive results in the previously mixed findings. This evaluation should demonstrate 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 Mary Ann Pentz by mail University of South California, Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, 35 N. Lake Ave, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91101, phone 1-323-442-8227, or email pentz@usc.edu

https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedprograms/midwestern-prevention-project-mpp, https://cdc.thehcn.net/promisepractice/index/view?pid=699, https://theathenaforum.org/prevention-101/excellence-prevention-strategy-list/project-star-formerly-midwestern-prevention-project, and Pentz et al. (1989).