Study conducted by Lynch Research Associates
shows that students see significant knowledge gain upon completion
of the EVERFI course
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Today EVERFI, a leading social impact
education innovator, released the findings from a new study
evaluating the efficacy of its high school Prescription Drug Safety
curriculum. The digital curriculum showed a positive and lasting
impact on behavioral intent and attitude as it relates to
prescription drug use. The study affirms signs of continued impact
on students more than 30 days following course completion. The
research was conducted by Lynch Research Associates, and the
accompanying manuscript can be found in the online and print
versions of the peer-reviewed journal Child and Youth Care
Forum.
Prescription drug misuse among youth aged 12-18 remains high in
the United States with a 500
percent increase in opioid overdose deaths among 15-24-year-old
adolescents between 1999-2020, per the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. As such, public health experts and medical
providers have been increasingly calling for effective,
evidence-based prescription drug misuse prevention and intervention
programming that reaches large numbers of youth who may be exposed
to opportunities to engage in non-medical prescription drug use.
Further, according to the National Association of State Boards of
Education, nearly all states and territories in the U.S. have
policies regarding alcohol and drug use/abuse instruction, either
as a stand-alone topic or as part of health education.
"Based on our study of the Prescription Drug Safety program, the
data offers strong evidence that EVERFI's digital curriculum is
effective in promoting prescription drug safety skills in schools,"
said Alicia Lynch, Ph.D., CEO and
founder, Lynch Research Associates, LLC. "We were also pleased to
see that the impact of this study was consistent across all gender,
race, and other demographic characteristics. We are optimistic
about the findings and hope it continues conversations about the
need for prescription drug safety education among all
students."
Participants in the prescription drug safety study included 94
middle and high school teachers and their students in grades 8-12.
Using a quasi-experimental design, participants were assigned to
experimental or control conditions. Using a pre/post survey design,
the study examined whether the curriculum promoted growth in five
key student outcomes: Personal Responsibility, Social Norms,
Knowledge, Future Actions, and Refusal Skills.
Compared to a control group of students, key findings among
students who took EVERFI's Prescription Drug Safety curriculum
include:
- Significant growth in personal responsibility for helping to
prevent prescription drug abuse or misuse with others in their
community
- More accurate perceptions of social norms for prescription drug
abuse, misuse or refusal among peers
- Increased knowledge of prescription drug-related topics
including addiction, safe use of prescriptions and refusal
skills
- Lower likelihood of engaging in future actions related to
prescription drug abuse or misuse
- Improved refusal skills for rejecting offers of prescription
drugs in situations
Additionally, the study examined whether growth in student
outcomes would be maintained one month after completing the
Prescription Drug Safety curriculum and results provided evidence
for retention in Personal Responsibility, Social Norms, and
Knowledge growth.
"We're very pleased with the results of the study that proves
EVERFI's curriculum is effective and has the ability to change
student attitudes and intended behaviors," said Dan Zapp, Ph.D., senior director, Research,
EVERFI. "Prescription drug misuse is often a stepping stone that
leads to the use of other illicit drugs, many of which are now
laced with fentanyl, which is driving a current epidemic of
drug-related overdoses and deaths. Empowering students with
substance misuse prevention education at an early age can help the
next generation stop prescription and illegal drug misuse, and
potentially save lives."
In recent years, technology-based curricula have emerged as
effective, lower-cost tools in the prevention landscape,
particularly among youth (Marsch & Brodovsky, 2017). In
comparison to traditional school- and community-based programs,
technology-based intervention programs – which are easier to
implement, more interactive and engaging, and more cost-effective –
have been shown to be more appealing to youth and educators.
Prescription Drug Safety is an innovative digital course
available at no cost to schools that focuses on high school
prescription drug misuse and abuse prevention. The curriculum has
been used in more than 6,000 schools across the country since 2018,
reaching nearly one million students. Through interactive scenarios
and self-guided activities, students learn about a range of topics,
including the science of substance use disorder, medication safety
tips, and how to intervene when faced with a situation involving
drug misuse. The goal of the program is to arm students with the
knowledge and tools to make healthy, informed decisions.
About EVERFI, Inc.
EVERFI from Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is an international
technology company driving social impact through education to
address the most challenging issues affecting society ranging from
financial wellness to mental health to workplace conduct and other
critical topics. Founded in 2008, EVERFI's
Impact-as-a-ServiceTM solution and digital educational
content have reached more than 45 million learners globally. In
2020, the company was recognized as one of the World's Most
Innovative Companies by Fast Company and was featured on
Fortune Magazine's Impact 20 List. The company was also
named to the 2021 GSV EdTech 150, a list of the most transformative
growth companies in digital learning. Blackbaud, the world's
leading cloud software company powering social good, acquired
EVERFI in December of 2021. To learn more about EVERFI, please
visit everfi.com or follow us on Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter @EVERFI.
Forward-looking
Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements,
expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of
products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be
accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible
that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on
which such statements are based. In addition, other important
factors that could cause results to differ materially include the
following: general economic risks and the other risk factors
occasionally set forth in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, of which
free copies are available at www.sec.gov or upon request from
Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product
names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Blackbaud, Inc.
Media Contact
Jennifer
Edgerly
EVERFI
jedgerly@everfi.com
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SOURCE EVERFI, Inc.