A Library-based Prevention Intervention for Adolescents Affected by Parental Drug Use

With nearly 17,000 public libraries nationwide and four million visits each day, libraries have extensive population reach. Libraries are an ideal partner because they are stable, safe, accessible, confidential community spaces with a low barrier to entry and non-judgmental staff. This study's goal is to partner with public libraries to prevent substance use and sexual risk-taking among urban African American adolescents (ages 13-16) affected by parental drug use. An existing universal evidence-based intervention (Focus on Youth with Informed Parents and Children Together, abbreviated as FOY+ImPACT) will be adapted for adolescents affected by parental drug use and delivered in libraries. FOY+ImPACT is a skill-building intervention aimed at preventing substance use and sexual risk-taking among high-risk African American youth.

For this study, a 'parent with a history of drug use' is defined as a biological parent who abused an illicit drug for longer than 1 month in the past 2 years. This group includes parents in recent recovery and those enrolled in substance abuse treatment programs. Many youth affected by parental drug use live with someone who does not use drugs, extended family members, or are in the care of social services. Thus, primary caregivers will be eligible to participate in the absence of a biological parent. A 'primary caregiver', is defined as a person who regularly provides care for a child that is not their birth child.

The investigative team will conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and initial efficacy of a library-based prevention intervention for adolescents affected by drug use. Participants will be Black adolescents (13-16 years old) affected by parental drug use (N=120). Adolescents will be randomized by partner organization to receive the intervention virtually. Pre, Post and 3-month follow-up data will be collected using computerized surveys. Primary outcomes will be substance use (i.e., marijuana and alcohol use, two of the most common drugs for this age group) and sexual risk behaviors (i.e., initiation of sex and frequency of unprotected sex).

Inclusion criteria

• Black/African American
• 13-16 years old
• have a caregiver with a history of drug use
• English-speaking

Exclusion criteria

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