What is CROSSROADS?

The CROSSROADS Co-op Substance Abuse Prevention and Peer Education Program is a blend of the power of peer education and technology to delay and reduce substance use in high school students. College mentors from UNCW are mentoring high school peer educators at schools in New Hanover County, and soon around the country, to provide a drug education curriculum for high school students. Recently, after teaming with Tanglewood Research Institute in Greensboro, NC, CROSSROADS applied for and received a Science and Technology Transfer (STTR) grant that provides funding to build upon our existing curriculum and to complete a pilot test of the program. Phase I, which began in May 2004, demonstrated feasibility through a randomized trial in New Hanover County high schools. Phase II, which begins in 2005, will support the program's final development and a national multi-site trial to demonstrate results in a variety of high school environments.

New Hanover County Schools participated in a pilot test of CROSSROADS during the fall 2004 semester, meaning half of the county high schools received the program in the fall and the other half was "treatment as normal". In Spring 2005, all schools will receive at least some components of CROSSROADS.

Was the effectiveness of CROSSROADS evaluated?

Yes. Our results were very promising. The goal of the pilot test in New Hanover County High Schools this fall was to determine whether 9th-grade health students who received the CROSSROADS program differ in any ways from 9th-grade health students who received traditional substance abuse prevention curriculum. Students who received CROSSROADS showed lower alcohol use and intentions to use than students who did not receive the program.

The 6 Components of CROSSROADS

Peer Educators: Select students from 9th-grade health classes are asked to participate in CROSSROADS and serve as a resource to their classmates; they also assist the teacher and the college mentor in implementing other aspects of the CROSSROADS program. Peer educators and college mentors have weekly after-school meetings.

Mentoring: UNCW college students mentor the peer educators and work with both the teachers and the peer educators to deliver CROSSROADS components.

Drug Information Booths: Peer educators and college mentors set up and run interactive booths for students to visit during class time to teach students about a particular drug (e.g., tobacco or alcohol).

Online Resources: CROSSROADS provides an interactive website for teachers, students, and administrators; this website contains a calendar, discussion board, and links to online resources related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Social Norms Campaign: Each school's 9th-grade peer educators decide on a campaign to challenge students' perceived norms regarding alcohol and drug use among their peers.

Classroom Presentations: CROSSROADS provides a series of curricula regarding substance abuse prevention and education to be included in 9th-grade health classes throughout the semester; Peer educators and the UNCW college mentors assist in the delivery of these class presentations. Presentations are 45-90 minutes in length and cover the following four topics: Physical and Psychological Effects of Drug Use, Normative Beliefs, Decision-Making Skills, and Refusal Skills.

How can I reach CROSSROADS if I have any questions?

Please call or e-mail us at any time! Our main office number is 910.962.4136 and our direct lines are provided below.
Rebecca Caldwell, M.S.
CROSSROADS Director
910.962.7360
caldwellr@uncw.edu