Feasibility and acceptability of a novel substance use prevention intervention

BACKGROUND: Youth exposed to household challenges are among the groups most vulnerable to early substance use. To address the needs of this group, this pilot study assessed the feasibility of participant recruitment and retention, as well as the acceptability of a novel substance use prevention intervention, Better Together, for Black youth exposed to household challenges. METHODS: Participants were recruited using school and community presentations, digital flyers, and referrals. One-hundred twenty-seven students from two schools were screened. Participant enrollment, session attendance, and assessment completion were used to determine feasibility. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected after each session; responses were used to assess intervention acceptability. Demographic and substance use data were collected at baseline, post-test, and 1 month follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-nine youth were eligible, returned their parental permission forms, enrolled, and randomized. Nearly 90% of participants (n = 47) attended at least 5 sessions; the average number of sessions attended across conditions was 6.5. Fifty-four youth (92%) completed 1-month follow-up assessments. Session feedback forms showed that most students were happy after each session (61-85%). Qualitative feedback suggests that students were engaged in discussing the key messages using their own words. There were no significant changes in substance use knowledge or intentions over time or by condition. However, there was a small yet significant increase in substance use behaviors over time. CONCLUSIONS: Better Together may be a promising intervention to prevent substance use among Black youth exposed to household challenges. Findings suggest that recruiting, retaining, and engaging participants in the eight-session intervention is possible. Findings will inform plans to implement a full-scale study to evaluate the efficacy and contextual factors affecting program implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06594835. Registered: September 10, 2024 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06594835?locStr=Baltimore,%20MD&country=US&state=Maryland&city=Baltimore&intr=Better%20Together&viewType=Card&rank=1 .