keepin’ it REAL
Program Description
keepin’ it REAL (kiR) is a youth-focused substance use prevention program designed to build social, emotional, and resistance skills. The ten-lesson curriculum (45 minutes each) emphasizes refusal strategies: Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave. Lessons use real teens' stories, videos, and role-play to reinforce practical skills. An optional booster intervention teaches youth to create prevention media. The “from kids…through kids…to kids” approach enhances relatability, helping youth resist substance use and make healthy decisions.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Alcohol | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 7th grade | Promising (General Population)1 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 5th grade | Moderate (Latino/a/x)2-3 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 7th grade | Strong (General Population),1,4-5 Moderate (Latino/a/x)2 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 9th grade | Promising (White)6 |
| Cannabis | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 7th grade | Moderate (General Population)1 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 5th grade | Promising (Latino/a/x)2-3 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 7th grade | Moderate (General Population),1,4-5 Moderate (Latino/a/x)2 |
| Inhalants | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 5th grade | Promising (Latino/a/x)2 |
| Inhalants | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 7th grade | Moderate (Latino/a/x)2 |
| Tobacco | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 7th grade | Moderate (General Population)1 |
| Tobacco | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 5th grade | Moderate (Latino/a/x)2-3 |
| Tobacco | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 7th grade | Promising (General Population),1,4-5 Moderate (Latino/a/x)2 |
| Tobacco | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 9th grade | Moderate (White)6 |
| Substance Use (General) | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 5th Grade | Moderate (General Population)3 |
| References
1 Hecht, M. L., Marsiglia, F. F., Elek, E., Wagstaff, D. A., Kulis, S., Dustman, P., & Miller-Day, M. (2003). Culturally grounded substance use prevention: an evaluation of the keepin' it R.E.A.L. curriculum. Prevention Science, 4(4), 233–248. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1026016131401 2 Marsiglia F.F., Kulis., S., Yabiku, S.T., Nieri, T.A., Coleman, E. (2011). When to intervene: elementary school, middle school, or both? Effects of keepin’ it REAL on substance use trajectories of Mexican heritage youth. Prevention Science, 12, 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-010-0189-y 3 Hansen W.B., Beamon E.R., Saldana S, Kelly S, Wyrick D.L. (2023). D.A.R.E./keepin' it REAL elementary curriculum: Substance use outcomes. PLoS ONE 18(4), e0284457. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284457 4 Hecht, M. L., Graham, J. W., & Elek, E. (2006). The drug resistance strategies intervention: Program effects on substance use. Health Communication, 20(3), 267-276. https://doi:10.1207/s15327027hc2003_6 5 Kulis, S., Nieri, T., Yabiku, S., Stromwall, L. K., & Marsiglia, F. F. (2007). Promoting reduced and discontinued substance use among adolescent substance users: Effectiveness of a universal prevention program. Prevention Science, 8, 35-49.
6 Hecht, M. L., Shin, Y., Pettigrew, J., Miller-Day, M., & Krieger, J. L. (2018). Designed cultural adaptation and delivery quality in rural substance use prevention: an effectiveness trial for the keepin’ it REAL curriculum. Prevention Science, 19(8), 1008-1018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-018-0937-y |
|||
Training and Technical Assistance
The kiR program offers implementation support through structured training workshops. These workshops prepare educators and facilitators to effectively deliver the program’s curriculum and resistance strategies. Technical support is provided during and after implementation to assist with any issues or challenges.
Adaptations
The main program is universal, but there are versions of the practice geared specifically to the cultures of African-American and Latino/a/x youth, including a Spanish language version that has been tested extensively across Mexico.
Program Costs
Please visit the developer’s website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.
What California Providers Are Saying
We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing keepin' it REAL. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Selective,
Universal,
Individual,
Relationship,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Communication Skills,
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies,
Cultural/Religious Focus,
Psychoeducation,
Self-efficacy/self-esteem enhancement,
Skills Training,
Peer Norm Development,
Peer Led Approaches,
Community-based Processes, community based processes,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
Rebelliousness,
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens,
Emotional self-regulation,
High self-esteem,
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture,
Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Positive temperament,
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Clear expectations for behaviors and values,
Accessibility of substances,
Norms favorable towards substance use,
Substance use among peers,
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use,
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community,
Opportunities for the development of skills and interests,
Positive social norms,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
African American, General Population, Hispanic,
No parent/caregiver involvement,
Substances Use - General, substance use-general, Substance use general, general substance use,
School (K-12), k-12,
Community-based program, community based programs, community/based programs,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed), health social,
Law Enforcement,
Peers,
Mentors,
Community Members,
Prevention Staff,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators,