Reality Tour: A Community-based Drug Prevention Program

• In Event: Emerging Areas for Substance Use/Misuse Research

Abstract

In 2003, the Reality Tour was established by CANDLE, Inc., which is a non-profit organization with an aim to prevent substance abuse in Butler, Pennsylvania. Demand grew for the replication of the Tour to be presented in other locations. In 2014, the Latrobe and Derry Area Reality Tour was established. The Tour is a community-based drug prevention presentation designed to engage both parents and children in an interactive event with the intention of educating them about the consequences of drug use.
Data for this study were collected from Adult Exit Surveys between September, 2014 and May, 2016. A total of 226 surveys were reviewed. Findings suggest that the Tour has provided important drug prevention information to the attendees, and it has created a venue for parents and children to increase their discussions about drug abuse. In addition, the Tour has assisted in community awareness about the consequences of drug abuse.

Authors

• Judith Sturges, Pennsylvania State University

• Tyler Garlick, Indiana University of Pennsylvania