Speakers
Description
Authors: Alicia Hamilton (CHUSJ), Kelly Mohan (CHU Sainte-Justine Mother and Child Hospital - Azrieli Research Centre)
Background: Designed to equip high-risk adolescents with effective coping strategies, the PreVenture Program uses cognitive-behavioural techniques tailored to four personality traits associated with elevated risk for substance use and mental health challenges. Delivered in a series of structured group sessions, the program helps young people recognize their emotional and behavioural patterns and develop practical tools to manage them. In multiple published randomized trials, PreVenture has been shown to significantly delay and reduce alcohol and drug use, as well as prevent the onset of substance use disorders throughout the high school years. It has also demonstrated a significant impact on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. To date, more than 2,500 professionals have been trained to deliver the program, reaching over 30,000 students in diverse international settings.
Methods: This study evaluates program implementation using a mixed-methods framework grounded in a proprietary Learning Health System. The evaluation integrates data from four core components: training feedback, a Program Implementation Fidelity Assessment (PIFA), implementation feedback, and student feedback. This dynamic feedback approach enables ongoing quality monitoring and timely improvements, while also informing the scalability and overall effectiveness of the intervention.
Results: Across a range of settings, the program has demonstrated strong feasibility and high acceptability. Between 70–85% of youth participants rated the program positively, with a comparable proportion reporting that they acquired valuable cognitive-behavioural skills. Additionally, Training feedback indicates high levels of acceptability and satisfaction.
Discussion: These results illustrate the feasibility of scaling an evidence-based intervention while maintaining fidelity, acceptability, and effectiveness. Leveraging a Learning Health System allows for continuous, data-driven quality assurance and adaptation. The PreVenture model offers a promising framework for scaling up prevention programs globally and enhancing population-level outcomes in youth mental health and substance use prevention.
| Conflict of interest | As a nonprofit, we sell training and materials for the PreVenture Program based on public demand. All revenue generated is reinvested into the development and enhancement of the program to ensure its continued effectiveness and accessibility. There are no personal financial incentives or profit from these sales. |
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