FAST program is a proven success
We were surprised and disappointed to read that our program Families and Schools Together (FAST) was found to have “no positive effect†in preventing drug abuse among students [“Anti-Drug Overdose?†May 15]. In fact, FAST was identified in 2003 as a model program by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In the last 10 years, five randomized controlled studies have been conducted on FAST, and each project targeted some of our nations most vulnerable 6- to 7-year-old children and families (low-income African American, Latino, Southeast Asian/Hmong and rural Native Americans). To date, all of the publications on these studies in peer-reviewed journals have showed positive results.
To strengthen program implementation, the FAST National Training and Evaluation Center was created in 1998 and dedicated to the dissemination and evaluation of FAST. Additionally, FAST has received support from the U.S. Department of Justice since 2001 to create a national quality assurance structure that involves certification of trainers, evaluation and technical assistance strategies to ensure FAST is being implemented with fidelity.
Another randomized controlled trial of FAST is currently being conducted through the University of Southern California. We anticipate that the results will confirm our earlier findings.
LYNN MCDONALD
FAST program founder
University of Wisconsin-Madison
PATRICIA DAVENPORT
Chief executive
FAST National Training and Evaluation
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