Unplugged: the italian way

Background: ???Unplugged??? is the first school-based prevention programme developed and evaluated in the frame of and international European collaboration. Since the study proved the effectiveness of the program, a large scale dissemination has been promoted. In Italy, Piedmont Centre for Drug Addiction Epidemiology coordinates the study and the dissemination. Aims: The present paper draws on the Piedmont experience to speed up Unplugged. Methods: We applied for funds from a local foundation to print Unplugged education material and offer training courses to the teachers of the entire region. Our dissemination strategy contemplated a strong collaboration with the regional school office and policy makers in drug prevention field, who organized seminars to promote evidence???based activites among headmasters and teachers. The seminars were organized at the level of local communities. After the seminars, leaflets describing the program and the results of the study were sent to each school in the region, and to health education and prevention services. Thanks to the funding, training courses and material could be offered to the schools for free. Conclusions: Eight seminars conducted in March/April yield to 10 teachers training couses and one training for trainers, reaching about 200 teachers, and 25 trainer, with the hope of reaching a minimum of 3200 pupils.