Mentoring is one-on-one interaction with an older, more experienced person to provide advice or assistance. Evaluations of community-based mentoring programs have found the programs decrease substance use. School-based mentoring programs show promise in that they reinforce strengths that may lead to the delayed onset of drug use or participation in delinquent behavior.

Supporting Citation:

Gottfredson, D.C. (1997). School-based crime prevention. In L. Sherman (Ed.), Preventing crime: what works, what doesn't, what's promising: A report to the United States Congress (pp. 5-1 - 5-74). Washington, DC: US Department of Justice.

Tierney, J.R., Grossman, J.B. & Resch, N.L. (1997). Making a difference: An impact study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. In Some things do make a difference for youth: A compendium of evaluations of youth programs and practices. Washington, D.C.: American Youth Policy Forum.