Effectevaluation of the Drugs and Alcohol Plan of Attack at intermediate vocational education (ROC's) in Rotterdam.

This research aims to examine the effectiveness of the plan of attack in reducing students' alcohol and drug use, alcohol and/or drug-related problems, and general and mental health. Alcohol and drug use and related problems among students of 8 locations of 2 intermediate vocational education (ROC's) will be compared to a matched control group of students of 8 other locations of the same ROC's (total N = 12.000). Measurements will be before, and 6 and 12 months after, implementation of the plan of attack.



All respondents are recruited in the Netherlands.

Youth at intermediate vocational education (ROC's) show excessive alcohol and drug use, which can have various detrimental consequences. For this vulnerable group of youngsters a targeted, multicomponent plan of attack was developed in Rotterdam to tackle alcohol and drug use. This research aims to examine the effectiveness of the plan of attack. When the plan of attack proves to be succesful, it can be implemented at other ROC's throughout the Netherlands.

All primary and secondary outcomes will be measured in a students' questionnaire at baseline, and two follow-up periods (at 6 months and at 1 year).

Experimental locations (N = 8) receive "the Drugs and Alcohol Plan of Attack", consisting of:

1. General: Certified security policy, code of conduct;

2. Students: Limited/extensive education module, website, peer education, health coach, prohibition of cannabis, conversation with parents at school;

3. Parents: Information letter, periodic newsletter, website, health coach, parent board meetings, conversation with student; ROC personnel: website, training of skills and knowledge, support by health coach.



Control locations (N = 8) do not receive "the Drugs and Alcohol Plan of Attack" or any other alcohol and/or drugs intervention.



The intervention is executed by the Rotterdam Public Health Service (GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond), in collaboration with Youz, youth department of Bouman-GGZ addiction care, and the police of Rotterdam and surrounding area. From January 2013 on, the intervention has been started at the experimental locations. The intervention consists of the following components:

1. A Certificat for security policy at school (Safe at School);

2. A code of conduct ‘alcohol and drugs at school';

3. A learning module ‘Alcohol and drugs’ of 4 lessons (limited module) or 35 lessons (extended module) a year;

4. A website for ROC-students (www.maakjekeus.nl);

5. Peer-education;

6. A website for parents of ROC-students;

7. A website for ROC-teachers;

8. The presence of a health coach from Youz at the ROC’s; the health coach has office every week and is available for students with alcohol and/or drug related problems.



In January 2014, the intervention will be started at the control locations. At the experimental locations, after the first year of implementation, the intervention will be continued.