This is Afterschool: Promoting Healthy Futures

Across America, 1 in 5 kids are alone and unsupervised from 3 to 6 p.m.1  These are the hours when juvenile crime, victimization, and drug use peak—and many parents are still at work.2

Studies show just how risky the hours after school can be:

• Youth who are not involved in constructive, supervised extracurricular activities are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug use and delinquency.3
• Teens who do not participate in structured activities after school are nearly three times more likely to skip classes at school and experiment with drugs than teens who do participate.4

Afterschool is changing that. Decades of research show that afterschool programs prevent substance use and reduce misconduct.  

• A longitudinal study of 3,000 elementary and middle school students participating in afterschool programs found reports of misconduct declined, and among middle school students, use of drugs and alcohol was less than that of their unsupervised peers.5
• A review of 43 studies of afterschool programs found declines in drug use or arrests and/or changes in attitudes toward drugs.6
• According to data from Vermont's Youth Risk Behavior Survey, students who participate in extracurricular activities each week (up to 19 hours per week) are significantly less likely to use any alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana than those who did not participate in any activities.7
• University of Alaska researchers found that students who participate in organized afterschool programs at least once per week are 16 percent less likely to binge drink and 31 percent less likely to use marijuana.8
• Students in Chicago's After School Matters program engage in risky behaviors such as selling drugs, using drugs, and taking part in gang activity at a much lower rate than matched nonparticipants.9

Afterschool programs turn a time of risk into a time of opportunity by helping youth develop skills and relationships they need to succeed.

• Afterschool programs build protective factors, such as school connectedness, self-control, self-confidence, and quality peer relationships that prevent substance use disorders from occurring.10
• A longitudinal study found elementary school students participating in afterschool programs made gains in social skills with peers and prosocial behaviors, as well as decreases in aggressive behaviors with peers.11
• Afterschool programs connect youth with caring adults. A review of 73 mentoring studies found statistically positive effects for participating youth contributing to both gains in positive outcomes and declines in negative outcomes.12
• Quality afterschool programs also provide trauma-informed practices that offset the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Addressing the impact of ACEs reduces development of substance use disorders and other future health concerns.13  

In communities nationwide struggling with opioid and other substance misuse, afterschool and summer learning programs are playing a critical role by increasing resilience among young people, supporting positive youth development, and preventing substance use among youth. While attention is often focused on reducing risk factors, the presence of protective factors is a better indicator of whether youth will grow up to become successful, well-adjusted adults.14 Afterschool programs, which help youth both avoid risk factors and build protective factors, are a proven strategy for promoting healthy futures and should be included in public policy efforts focused on preventing substance use disorders.

Download our new fact sheet on the role of afterschool in promoting healthy futures here.