Chapter 16

Drug Prevention and Education

Illicit Drug Use

Goals for Drug Prevention

To prevent drug use from being initiated

To minimize the risks of drugs to the user

To reduce the risks of drug use to society

To prevent drug dependency

To teach responsible drug use

To stop drug use patterns

To delay the onset of drug use

Drug Prevention

Primary: to prevent drug use from being initiated (education)

Secondary: responsible drug use

Tertiary: rehabilitation

Drug Prevention Continuum

Identifying High Risk Youth High risk behaviors include:

Delinquent behavior, self-destructive behaviors, and dropping out of school

Risk factors include: Individual behavioral factors Individual attitudinal factors Individual psychosocial factors Family factors Community environmental factors

Resiliency

Resiliency = the ability to resist

Characteristics of resilient children: Responsive Cultivate positive relationships Caring Skillful problem solvers

Resiliency

Educationally motivated Active Adaptable Good sense of humor Success-oriented Disengages from harmful family

environments

Individual Behavior Factors Academic failure

Early antisocial behavior

Early drug experimentation

Early drug use

Individual Attitudinal Factors Rebelliousness against authority

Lack of commitment to school

Attraction to deviance

Unfavorable attitudes toward adult behavior

Individual Psychosocial Factors

Low self-esteem

Low self-efficacy

Sensation seeking

Lack of social skills

Family Factors Family history of drug use or antisocial

behavior

Family management problems

Parental tolerance for deviance

Family disorganization

Community Environment Factors

Economic and social deprivation

Community disorganization

Community norms favorable to deviance

Availability of drugs

Friends/peers who use drugs

Preventing High-Risk Behavior Education

Involvement of parents

Community efforts

Factors that Prevent Drug Abuse

Small family with little conflict High intelligence Being a firstborn child Commitment to education Regular church attendance Belief in the expectations, values, and norms of

society High achievement

Primary Prevention: What Works?

Valuing and maintaining sound personal health

Understanding the effects of drugs on health

Respecting laws and rules that prohibit drug use

Recognizing and resisting pressure to use drugs

Primary Prevention: What Works?

Promoting activities reinforcing a positive, drug-free lifestyle

Current Approaches to Drug Education

Personal and social skills training Resistance skills training Drug prevention programs Drug abuse resistance education (DARE)

JUST SAY NO!

Problems with Drug Education Teachers often do not keep-up with the latest

information.

Students sometimes know more about drugs than the teacher.

Some teachers are judgmental or moralistic.

Goals of drug education are often unclear.

Goals of drug education are often unrealistic.

Effectiveness of Drug Education Effective programs include curriculum based on

an understanding of theory and research in drug abuse prevention.

Information is developmentally appropriate.

Curriculum emphasizes social resistance skills.

Effectiveness of Drug Education Teachers receive training and support.

Amount of time devoted to drug abuse prevention is sufficient.

Programs are culturally sensitive.

School-based programs include the family, community, and media.

Evaluation is necessary to determine effectiveness of the program.

Summary Drug prevention can be primary, secondary, or

tertiary.

High-risk youth exhibit self-destructive behaviors and delinquent behaviors.

Resiliency is a key concept to preventing drug use, misuse, and abuse among youth.

Summary Low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, sensation

seeking, and lack of social skills puts one at higher risk for substance abuse.

Education, involvement with parents, and community efforts together help to prevent high-risk behaviors.

Drug education can be effective if it meets specific criteria.