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With support from the Wyoming First Lady's Initiative and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), WYSAC examined five successful drug-free youth groups selected for the study by WDH. The primary goal of the reseach was to identify common elements and/or critical factors in group success. As part of the research desgin, background literature was reviewed related to peer support theories, evidence based intervention, and prevention theories and philosophies.
WYSAC gathered five types of data at each site: 1) interviews with one or two adult stakeholders, 2) interviews with one or two youth leaders, 3) a focus group with participating youth, 4) a tour of related facilities, and 5) program documents for content analysis. A qualitative analysis of these data revealed nine factors that stakeholders and participants regard as critical to group success and sustainability.
The factors identified were youth-run activities, adult support, positive focus, leadership development, motivation, skills development, conducive community environment, financial support, and a formal commitment to remaining drug free. While each factor may be implemented in a slightly different manner, to work with and within each unique community, some version of these factors appears critical to group success in each case.
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