A process evaluation of a comprehensive drug education training package

This study presents the results of a process evaluation of a comprehensive drug education training package titled Teacher Training in Prevention (TTIP) aimed at primary and secondary school teachers with an interest in developing and delivering drug education lessons to their students. TTIP objectives are to assist teachers in the planning, development, and implementation of drug education lessons, to assist teachers to identify, and assist students who may be at risk of alcohol and drug problems and to increase teacher comfort level and confidence in reaching drug education to students. A detailed questionnaire in English and French was mailed to 470 trained teachers in 35 public and private school boards throughout the province of Ontario, Canada. Results based on 205 returned and completed questionnaires indicated a high approval rating for the package. A majority of teachers reported that they would recommend TTIP for their colleagues and one-quarter reported using it to train others. For a strong majority of teachers, perceived benefits of TTIP training included a reduction in the amount of time needed to prepare drug education lessons, an expansion in the repertoire of methods for delivering drug education to students, increased comfort in reaching drug education and improved confidence using a variety of teaching methods. Perceived student benefits included increased teacher knowledge of resources to teach drug education and enhanced ability to recognize signs and symptoms of student drug use.