This research examined relationships among four variables, including (a) participation in a culturally based prevention program, (b) changes in drug attitudes, (c) changes in racial identity, and (d) changes in alcohol use. The sample included 311 African American sixth graders (56% male) enrolled in a national study of high-risk youth. Participants completed the Children’s Racial Identity Scale, the Africentric Values Scale for Children, the Tentative Drug Use Scale, the Children’s Social Desirability Scale, and an index of alcohol use. The results indicated that youth who became more tolerant (lenient) in their drug attitudes between sixth and seventh grades were more likely to increase their alcohol use. In addition, two alternative models were tested to examine the dynamics of how changing racial identity and drug attitudes operate in a culturally based intervention to reduce the likelihood of future drug use. Support was found for both models with no convincing evidence showing that one was better than the other.
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