Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT) Alcohol Prevention
An alcohol prevention program with peer support and group-reward structures for children and adolescents, ages 13-18. Program combines peer support with group reward structures. Participants take part in a 4-week educational program that provides alcohol information and encourages the application of this information in the youths’ lives. All activities emphasize the use of peer support to enhance learning and the acceptance of responsible attitudes toward drinking. The program begins with a 50-question pretest of alcohol knowledge. Based on their test results, students are classified as high achievers (those with high levels of knowledge about alcohol), middle achievers (those with moderate knowledge), and low achievers (those most lacking). The students are then grouped into eight-member teams containing two high achievers, four middle achievers, and two low achievers. The alcohol education units are presented for 50 minutes each day for 4 weeks. During the first 3 days of each week, discussions and participatory activities cover alcohol-related concepts. On the fourth day, students work in their teams to complete worksheets in preparation for the tournament. The tournament is held on the fifth day. Tournament games are designed to assess and reinforce class lessons.
John Wodarski
Professor of Social Work and Senior Research Scientist
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Children's Mental Health Services Research Center
324 Henson Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865.974.3988
Fax: 865.974.1662
E-mail; jwodarsk@utk.edu