Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

1
Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

• What works, what doesnt work, and what should
  we be doing about it?

2
Types of Prevention Programs

• Universal Prevention
• General message applicable to all in an audience.
• Targeted Populations
• Focusing efforts on groups who may be at-risk.
• Indicated Programs
• Focusing efforts on individuals who may be
  at-risk or who have used in the past.

3
Levels of Prevention Programs

• Primary Prevention
• Goal Delay/Prevent the onset of Drug Use by
  individuals with little or no previous
  experience.
• Secondary Prevention
• Goal Reduce the extent of drug use in
  individuals who have some drug exposure
• Tertiary Prevention
• Goal Relapse Prevention / Treatment Maintenance

4
Goals of Prevention Programs

• Prevent the use of drugs in society.
• Delay the first incidence of drug use.
• Reduce the quantity and frequency of use when it
  does occur.
• Teach harm-reduction strategies for current
  users.
• Provide a positive environment consistent with,
  drug-free growth personal development.

5
Settings of Prevention Programs

• Family / Parents (Strongest Influence)
• School Based Programs
• Community Based Programs

6
Prevention Approaches with Poor Results

• Reducing the Drug Supply / Availability
• Punitive Measures
• Scare Tactics Negative Education
• Exaggerated or Inaccurate
• Objective Information Approaches
• Low Risk vs. High Risk
• Promotional Campaigns / Materials
• Self-Esteem / Affect Education

7
DARE Program

• Best Known Prevention Program in US
• Used now on International Level
• Public Relations Success
• Visibility equals Success
• Criticisms
• Attitudes Change but not Behavior
• 10 year follow-ups show no Differences in Use,
  attitude, or self-esteem
• Response 3 Levels of DARE
• Results Inconclusive

8
Factors Influencing Drug Use

• Risk Factors Elements increasing likelihood of
  involvement with drugs.
• Protective Factors Elements decreasing
  likelihood of involvement with drugs and reducing
  impact of risk factors
• Resiliency Ability to resist negative impact of
  risk factors Usually through positive impact of
  protective factors

9
Risk Factor Domains (Sources)

• Community
• Family
• School
• Individual / Peer

10
Risk Factor Examples

• Psychosocial Nonconformity (Deviant Subcultures)
• Poor school attendance
• Easy access to drugs.
• Depression
• Alcohol before Age 12

• Adults with Drug Problems in life
• Peer approval
• Number of Drug Using Friends
• Low educational aspirations

11
Protective Factors

• Individual Characteristics
• Gender
• Temperament
• Positive Social Orientation
• Intelligence

• Bonding (3)
• Opportunities that are meaningful, responsible,
  significant
• Skills
• Recognition
• Healthy Beliefs
• Clear Standards

12
Elements of Comprehensive Prevention Programs

• Information Dissemination (one-way)
• Prevention Education (interactive)
• Alternative Activities
• Community-based Processes
• Environmental Approaches
• Problem Identification Referral

13
Components of Effective Prevention Programs

• Life Skills Training Includes
• Cognitive / Educational Component
• Present consequences vs. future consequences
• Peer Refusal Skills
• How to say no.
• Anxiety and Stress Reduction
• Social Skills Decision Making Skills
• Self-Directed Behavior Change
• (Goal setting)

14
Community Based Programs

• Alternative-Behaviors Programs
• Building relationships with positive role models.
• Project STAR
• School Based Component Middle Junior HS
• Parental Involvement in STAR components
• Health Policy Change Component
• Drug Free Sites, Enforcement of Age Limits

15
Sources of Community Support

• Schools
• Religious/Volunteer Organizations
• Industry
• Health Care Providers
• Law Enforcement
• Community Government
• Youth Organizations

16
Role(s) of Mass Media

• Positive Influences
• Partnership for Drug Free America
• The TRUTH
• Responsible Drinking Campaigns
• Other Portrayals
• MTV, TLC, HDC

• Negative Influences
• Movies
• Television
• Music
• Public Role Models
• Advertising
• Compare Exposure Times

17
Developmental Assets Approaches

• Developmental Assets Building positive
  relationships, opportunities, competencies,
  values, and self-perceptions that youth need to
  succeed. Building blocks producing healthy,
  principled, caring, productive youths.
• Learn more at http//search-institute.org

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Developmental Asset Domains

• External Assets
• Support
• Empowerment
• Boundaries and Expectations
• Constructive Use of Time

• Internal Assets
• Commitment to Learning
• Positive Values
• Social Competencies
• Positive Identity

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Risk Behavior of 6-12th Graders as a Function of
Developmental Assets
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How are we doing?Total Sample 19.3

• By Grade
• 6th 23.1
• 7th 21.1
• 8th 19.6
• 9th 18.3
• 10th 17.8
• 11th 18.1
• 12th 18.3 

• By Gender
• Female 20.7
• Male 17.8
• Total Sample
• 0-10 Assets  15
• 11-20 Assets  41
• 21-30 Assets  35
• 31-40 Assets  9