School-based drug education in North America: what is wrong? What can be done?

This article reviews experimental literature concerning the impact of drug (including alcohol and tobacco) education. Major weaknesses are identified with respect to planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs. Of special significance are inadequate identification of program objectives and target groups, failure to appreciate the dynamics of effective influence, lack of attention to program dissemination and utilization, and lack of concern with establishing the impact of programs through careful evaluation.