Executive Summary

In Iowa, Prime For Life (PFL) is used statewide for people arrested for impaired driving and sometimes for people with other alcohol- and drug-related offenses. This 2006 report provides data for those who were under age 21, most of whom were arrested for impaired driving. After attending PFL, over two-thirds of the youth reported it was helpful in their decisions to decrease their drinking or drug use. Over three-fourths also found PFL helpful in developing the confidence and skills to make low-risk choices.

Prime For Life is also provided in some Iowa school systems to a wide range of students. The 2003-2004 evaluation conducted by the Iowa Alcoholism and Drug Treatment Unit indicated that following the program, 45% were "a lot more" committed to their low-risk guidelines and another 49% were "a little more" committed.