Preliminary Follow-Up Evaluation of Participants in the Phoenix School: A Pilot Drug Program

The typical student who completed the Phoenix Program, a pilot program for treatment of students with drug and/or alcohol problems, at the time of referral by the high school counselor, was 16 years old, failing all courses, known to local police and juvenile authorities, and receiving short-term counseling with his/her family. To determine whether the effects of the program, especially in the areas of reduction of substance abuse and improved academic functioning, persisted once the student reentered the regular school (or work) environment, a follow-up analysis and evaluation, focusing on the first 12 students to attend the program, was made. Data were collected from students, parents, Phoenix School staff, receiving school staff, and student records about program experiences, reasons for students' leaving the school, pre- and post-Phoenix grades, attendance, acts of disruptive behavior, and drug/alcohol usage. Results revealed that: (1) students who were most successful in the Phoenix Program came from a regular school placement, rather than from special schools; (2) none of the students had received disciplinary action for drug-related incidents at the time of data collection; and (3) a general pattern of great improvement in behavior, attendance, and grades of students while in the program was followed by some slippage, but, in general, substantial improvement was noted, especially in grade point averages. Two case studies are appended. (PAS)