- Substance Abuse Prevention and Effective Prevention Programs Words: 548
- Substance Abuse Among Teenagers Words: 1458
- Substance Abuse Prevention in Adolescence Words: 1603
- Substance Abuse Relapse among Women Words: 4409
- Substance Abuse and Its Effect on the Community Words: 594
- Substance Abuse Literature Review Words: 2678
- Family Violence and Substance Abuse Words: 2044
- Drug and Substance Abuse: Causes and Socioeconomic Determinants Words: 884
- Social Factors of Substance Drug Abuse Words: 903
- Drugs and Substance Abuse in College: Effects and Treatments Words: 827
- Substance Abuse Problem Analysis Words: 844
Prevention of Substance Abuse
Drug abuse is becoming a growing social and a public health problem. There are many substances blamed to be of use and abuse. Substances are either licit or lawful (bought legally as tobacco and alcohol) and illicit or illegal as heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, or cannabis. This has influenced public and individual view to the whole problem. Public view on a drug being a licit one, there is no enough cause to face its consumption. Second, being licit, it is available for everyone’s’ wide use; yet, the harm is still cropping up (Fagg, pp.1-15). This essay aims to discuss briefly prevention of substance abuse.
On reviewing the literature, substance use, abuse, and dependence are used interchangeably (Fagg, pp. 1-15). Based on the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR (2002), both substance abuse and dependence are maladaptive patterns of substance use. The difference is mainly in the decisive factors needed to consider a case an abuse or dependence. Drug abuse is an individual showing one or more of the following signs within 12 months of drug use. Repeated drug use results in failure to fulfill a principal commitment (work, school, social, or family). The individual does not avoid using the drug in possibly risky circumstances as driving or working on a machine. Other signs include repeated use of the drug despite exposure to legal problems, social or family problems caused by, or aggravated by using the drug. In drug dependence, the individual fulfills at least three (or more) of the following signs on condition, signs take place within 12 months of drug intake. First is tolerance, it takes one of two forms , either there is a need to take increasing doses to get the wanted effect or continued intake of the same dose results in reduced effect. Second, drug withdrawal results in symptoms relieved by drug intake. Third, is despite continuous urge to stop the drugs but repeated trials persistently failed. Fourth, longtime, persistent, repeated, and failing efforts spent trying to control the drug intake are signs of drug dependence. Other signs are declining significant commitments whether social, work-related, or leisure-related because the individual keeps on taking the drug (DSM-IV, pp.185-198).
A successful substance abuse prevention program should fulfill the following stipulations (National Institute on Drug Abuse, pp. 2-25).
- About risk and protective factors: a prevention program should focus on strengthening protective factors, and minimizing risk factors. It should also address all possibilities of substance abuse (single or in combinations) and should be planned for the targeted community.
- Prevention programs usually give better results if combined (school and family targeted), and delivered at times of transition (as the transition from middle school to high school)
- It should be research-based in structure, content, and delivery.
- It should be long-term with interventions or booster sessions, and delivered in multiple settings (school, clubs, family, or religious organizations)
- Several Meta-analysis studies confirmed that interactive approaches produce better results than non-interactive ones.
- A successful prevention program should include training of the executive personnel.
Based on data from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), there are three different approaches to choose the one most suitable to the target group. The universal approach, the selective approach, targets a subgroup considered at high risk. Third, is the indicated approach that aims at the subgroup showing early signs of substance dependence (Nebraska Behavioral Heath Program, pp.9-10).
Prevention of substance abuse needs inclusive and intricate approaches that interconnect school, family, and community. Whatever the approach is, it has to rely on an understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors behind the problem (Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA, p. 85). Psychological comorbidity is common with substance abuse, Rosack (p.32) stated that smoking in the targetUS population is nearly 23%, in schizophrenia and mood disorders patients tobacco abuse rises nearly to 90%. A figure that points to how important prevention-associated, intervention programs are.
Works Cited
- American Psychiatric Association (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
- Disorders DSM IV-TR (4th ed). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press.
- Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA. UCLA Dept. of Psychology. A resource aid packet on Substance Abuse. 2003.
- Fagg, D. “Adolescent Drug Use.” Revolve vol 13 2006. p. 1-15.
- Nebraska Health and Human Service System. Office of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Addiction Services. SICA Guidance Document For Selecting Science-Based and Promising Substance Abuse Prevention Strategies. By Nebraska Behavioral Health Prevention Program. 2004.
- Rosack, J. “NIDA, APA Collaborate On Substance Abuse Series.” Psychiatric News vol 39 (4) 2004. p. 32.
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Why is Drug Education Important?
Why is drug education important? Understanding the impact of alcohol and other drugs is undoubtedly an invaluable strength. Knowing how drugs impact the body, the long and short-term effects of substance abuse, and the possible risk factors involved are all key in the prevention strategy. Research continues to provide substance abuse experts with more material to help educate community members on the dangers of illicit substances and drug misuse. Life-saving skills can develop from newer, evidence-based research and educational materials.
Drug education is not just for teachers or drug-free advocates and counselors. Everyone can benefit from the knowledge obtained from addiction researchers and specialists. It can help create safe and effective treatments as well as reduce the potential for increased substance abuse rates throughout a community.
Resources Provide Needed Education
No one questions the severity of the nationwide drug epidemic and its devastating impact on millions of lives. Alcohol and drugs undermine health and destroy futures, especially among the nation’s youth. To combat rising trends in addiction and addiction overdoses, experts are creating educational programs that use evidence-based training to help inform community members of peer pressure , mental health concerns , prescription drug abuse, prevention strategy, and much more.
The best solution is to reach young people with effective, fact-based drug education—before they start experimenting with drugs. Tweens, teens and young adults who know the facts about drugs are much less likely to start using them. -Drug Free World
The majority of local outreach programs seek to address community violence and drug use by properly educating residents, physicians, law enforcement, educators, and all pillars in the community about the lasting impact of addiction.
Prescription Medications: Changes in Policy
A great example of educational resources that evolved due to growing trends in substance abuse rates are those that surround the issue of prescription narcotic abuse.
Prior to 1990, physicians rarely prescribed opioids to patients other than those combating pain due to certain cancer types. By 1999, 86% of patients using opioids were using them for non-cancer pain. Communities, where opioids were readily available and prescribed liberally, were the first places to experience increased opioid abuse and resulting overdoses. In 2015, the National Survey on Drug Use and (NSDUH) found that 6.5 million Americans over the age of 12 used controlled prescription medicines non-medically, second only to marijuana and more than past-month users of cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined.
The sharpest rise in drug-related deaths occurred in 2016, with over 20,000 deaths from fentanyl and related drugs. Shortly after, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued comprehensive guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain outside of cancer treatment and end-of-life care.
By 2018, newer educational material revealed the truly devastating effects and widespread consequences of overprescribing opioids for general pain relief. As a result, more physicians took new approaches tor pain management. This is another reason why drug education is important.
Local Outreach Programs
Local outreach programs tend to focus on the local community needs, however there are larger scale programs aimed at informing the country about current drug related concerns. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is currently using a five step model to help address the opioid epidemic in the United States. The first step is to properly inform all Americans of the impact of the opioid crisis.
Drug education is not to be taken lightly and is a crucial factor in addressing deep seeded concerns that may perpetuate substance use disorders. Learn more about the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services is utilizing drug education to help address nationwide addiction.
What is Drug Education?
Drug education is a general term, but it incorporates several areas of alcohol and other drug recovery. It may refer to:
- Research & development
- Preventive treatment
- Early childhood or in-school education
The term drug education refers to the attempt to inform those living in a community where psychoactive drugs may be widely available and or could have a significant effect on families, politics, and finances. It is used to help teach the effects drugs may have on physical health.
Drug education can be presented in many different formats including:
- Advertising
- Open Community Board Meetings
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Hospital and clinical training
- Wellness Coaching
- Research papers
- Infographics
Beyond providing help in substance abuse prevention, drug education is a large proponent of providing safe and healthy resources that promote healthy living. For example, it may raise awareness of community needs, such as a lack of available gyms, lack of proper community health facilities or addiction treatment options, and a lack of safe and healthy recreational activities. Drug education shows what resources may be missing in an affected community and can increase awareness and safety in the community.
For further examples of current drug education resources, visit Drug Policy Alliance here . They discuss the potential for harm reduction, parenting, advocacy, and stigma regarding community drug use.
Accessing Community Drug Education
Drug education is progressing in significant ways as newer research seeks to address disparities among various communities. Previously, an abstinence-only policy was widely believed to be the best method in addressing addiction. Unfortunately, programs like D.A.R.E didn’t produce the intended results . Experts think this is because abstinence education doesn’t give students the tools needed to make safe decisions or find help when substance abuse is already an issue.
More funding is helping to develop evidence-based systems for educating youth and community members in rural and urban environments. Some resources that provide access to community drug education include:
- U.S. Department of Education
- National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Impaired Driving Division
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Office of National Drug Control
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Office of Safe and Healthy Students
Is there a Need for Drug Education While Struggling with Addiction?
Yes. Participating in drug education while struggling with addiction is highly important. Several rehabilitation programs and relapse prevention programs use drug education to help inform clients about the severe impact drugs and alcohol have have on their personal and professional lives.
Drug education in rehab facilities develops awareness of possible triggers that may risk current progress toward sobriety. Furthermore, drug education can reduce the potential for relapse as patients can become aware of risky people, places, and situations. It is helpful to avoid such triggers or develop skills to overcome certain relapse triggers . Common triggers may include:
- Fear of Relapse
Becoming aware of these triggers and how they may personally impact a person suffering from alcohol or other drugs is critical. Triggers will always be present in all communities. Being able to identify triggers decreases the potential to accidentally place one’s self in a risky position that can jeopardize current progress.
AspenRidge: Educating Clients in Recovery
AspenRidge is a premier substance abuse and mental health treatment center. Our highly trained staff incorporates drug education in the form of skill building to safely and effectively aid in long-term recovery. AspenRidge offers various programs, all of which seek to address various levels of substance abuse and underlying mental health concerns that may prevent long-term recovery.
Please contact AspenRidge at 855-678-3144 . Our compassionate staff will help to verify insurance options and to clarify treatment options available at AspenRidge Recovery Centers.
About the Author
Karlie Roshong
Karlie is originally from Dayton, Ohio, and began her education in psychology at the University of Cincinnati. She participated in research studying ADHD in children, mindfulness and anxiety, and embodied cognition. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling with a side specialization in addiction. During grad school, she treated clients involved in the legal system as well as at a detox facility. After graduating, Karlie gained experience working in a residential program for eating disorders and a private practice before joining the AspenRidge team.
In her time here, Karlie trained as a clinical supervisor and an Acudetox therapist. She has a passion for working with clients to help them develop a more profound sense of identity to navigate depressive and anxious symptoms. She’s passionate about working with clients to work through trauma and improve mental stability. In her personal life, Karlie likes reading sci-fi and fantasy and going to Marvel movies. She enjoys playing board games and having home karaoke nights with her friends. Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Fall in love with what is, then work to grow from there.
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DANNY SAN FILIPPO – Clinical Director
Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Danny moved to Denver to study at the University of Colorado and earned a master’s degree in counseling. Danny spent the first nine years of his career working in youth residential treatment. After managing that program for six years, Danny moved to AspenRidge and now leads the clinical team.
Danny specializes in brainspotting and reality therapy. He describes his area of expertise as treating substance use disorders, compulsive behaviors, and co-occurring mood disorders such as depression and anxiety that may travel with a substance use disorder. Danny has extensive experience in effectively treating incidental and complex trauma. He further describes his approach as science-driven, constantly reviewing the latest literature and theory. Danny ensures he has as many techniques as possible to help people improve their well-being and achieve their goals. Outside of work, he divides his time between family, basketball, and rock climbing. If Danny won the lottery, he’d start a tech company focusing on deep learning to support people in coping strategies. And, you know, keep working here.
Originally from Chino Hills, California, Chanel began her education at Gonzaga University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. She continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. Chanel completed internships at AspenRidge during her studies and eventually joined the team as a full-time primary clinician.
Chanel describes herself as a humanistic therapist focused on building rapport and trust. She knows that when both of those are realized, they can accomplish each client’s unique goals together. She specializes in mood and personality disorders as they relate to addiction and is passionate about healing trauma by way of brainspotting and other trauma therapy methods. She has a goal to visit every state capitol and has been to 29 so far! If she won the lottery tomorrow, Chanel said she start a bookstore with a bakery inside for guests to enjoy their favorite books with an excellent coffee and dessert.
KARLIE ROSHONG – Clinical Manager
Karlie is originally from Dayton, Ohio, and began her education in psychology at the University of Cincinnati. She participated in research studying ADHD in children, mindfulness and anxiety, and embodied cognition. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling with a side specialization in addiction. During grad school, she treated clients involved in the legal system as well as at a detox facility. After graduating, Karlie gained experience working in a residential program for eating disorders and a private practice before joining the AspenRidge team.
JILL GODING
Jill is a Colorado native who received a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis on women’s studies from the University of Houston. Jill has worked in several inpatient and outpatient centers, treating clients in all levels of care in both individual and group settings.
She is a trauma-informed clinician who prioritizes the relationship between clinician and client. Addiction impacted her own family and influenced her compassionate and empathetic relationship with clients. She believes in healing the whole person in a safe and supportive environment. Jill enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, friends, and pets when she is not in the office. She spends most weekends in the mountains hiking, fishing, 4-wheeling, and camping. Jill is an avid photographer and particularly enjoys Colorado sunsets. If she won the lottery tomorrow, Jill would create a pet sanctuary where the community would unite. And, you know, keep working here.
COURTNEY SKILLMAN
Hailing from Boulder County, Courtney embarked on her academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She furthered her education by completing a master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling from Capella University. Additionally, Courtney obtained certificates in Alcohol and Drug Studies and is certified in Branspotting, a clinical treatment technique aiding individuals in processing trauma.
Courtney’s professional experience in substance use treatment began in a holistic residential treatment center. Since then, she has worked across various settings including outpatient, inpatient, and community corrections programs.
Describing her therapeutic approach as evidence-based, Courtney champions a humanistic or person-centered approach as the ideal foundation. She integrates her expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based practices to tailor interventions according to each client’s distinct needs.
Beyond her clinical practice at AspenRidge, Courtney finds solace in outdoor activities, sports, reading, and cherishing quality time with her family and beloved dog.
JUSTIN GREEN – Primary Clinician
Justin was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he began his clinical education at Colorado State University. He received his bachelor’s in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine and eventually earned a master’s of psychology in addiction counseling. During his time as a therapist, Justin has worked in a residential addiction treatment facility, private practice, and outpatient settings.
Justin’s goal as a clinician is to help clients rediscover their own sense of agency over their lives. He knows therapy is a sacred process, and treatment is rarely as simple as finding the solution to one’s problems. Justin meets clients where they are and aims to help people learn to cultivate self-compassion, presence, and curiosity toward their pain. When he is not working with clients at AspenRidge, Justin plays basketball and disc golf, noodles on the guitar, and spends time with his wife and family. Justin says if he invented a holiday, it would definitely involve cookies, ice cream, and all sorts of sweet things.
BRIONNA MOORE – Primary Clinician
Originally from Southern California and later the Hudson Valley area of New York, Brionna pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the State University of New York at Oswego and completed her master’s in addiction counseling at Colorado State University.
Specializing in Compulsive Hoarding and Behavior Addictions, Brionna guides clients towards healthier relationships and boundaries. Additionally, she is trained in Brainspotting, offering a unique approach to trauma-informed care. Brionna’s therapeutic approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), empowering clients to challenge negative thinking patterns and manage intense emotions through mindfulness practices.
Outside of work, Brionna finds solace in arts and crafts, particularly crocheting and creative writing. She cherishes quiet moments with a good book, her two beloved cats, and the tranquility of nature’s walking trails.
KATHLEEN MORGAN
Kathleen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, but spent half of her life in California. She holds a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. Additionally, she has a master’s in holistic wellness and is trained in EMDR therapy for both in-person and virtual settings. Kathleen has more than 15 years of experience treating people who have a substance use disorder.
She typically works with people interested in taking a holistic approach to treating their addictions. This will include healthy eating, movement, meditation, mindfulness and spirituality. Outside of work, she’s a devotee of Krishna, and her friends call her Karunya Shakti, which means compassionate energy. She enjoys singing and dancing in kirtan and reading ancient Vedic literature like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. If she weren’t so damn good at her job, she says she would probably be an electrical engineer.
A Denver native and lifelong Colorado resident, Megan embarked on her academic journey at the University of Northern Colorado. There, she earned dual bachelor’s degrees before pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. During her academic years, she dedicated herself to assisting refugees fleeing war and violence in their home countries.
Megan’s therapeutic approach is multifaceted, drawing from narrative, feminist, and existential therapy modalities. By employing these frameworks, Megan empowers her clients to confront their realities and comprehend the tangible impact of systemic factors on their lives.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Megan finds joy in the company of her partner and pets. She relishes spending time with friends, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and exploring the great outdoors during milder weather.
CHRISTY SCHUETT
Christy Schuett, originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota, holds a master’s degree in counseling from Northern State University. Her journey began with crisis intervention for families, evolving into roles in community counseling, corrections, and residential facilities. Christy’s worked inthe field for more than 30 years.
Specializing in diverse mental health challenges, including depression, addiction, and trauma, Christy embraces a person-centered approach. She tailors interventions to individual needs, drawing from modalities like mindfulness, DBT, CBT, and EMDR.
Outside of work, Christy finds solace in nature, enjoying activities like gardening and mountain biking, alongside cherished moments with her family and dogs. If she weren’t excelling in her current role, Christy would likely champion environmental activism, advocating for nature’s preservation.
DARCIE O’CONNOR
Originally from Center Point, Iowa, Darcie pursued her academic journey at Walden University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then relocated to Alamosa, Colorado, where she obtained a master’s degree from Adams State University.
Describing her approach as eclectic, Darcie seamlessly combines person-centered and evidence-based practices. Drawing from her background in local improv groups, she infuses sessions with laughter and humor, fostering a non-judgmental space for clients. Darcie believes in collaborating with her clients, tailoring interventions to suit their individual needs.
Her expertise encompasses group and individual work, with a particular focus on trauma. Darcie finds fulfillment in working with the LGBTQ+ population, leveraging her skills to support and empower. The best piece of advice she’s ever heard is to never take advice from someone who does not have what you are seeking.
JORDAN ADSIT – Primary Clinician
Originally from Nashville, TN, Jordan moved to Colorado with her family at age five. She has worked in behavioral health since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2019. Jordan developed her clinical approach in various inpatient, hospital, outpatient, and private practice settings. Jordan continued her studies and earned a master’s in clinical and mental health counseling. Between post-graduate work and additional training courses, she honed her skills in treating first responders and military personnel from a trauma-informed perspective. In 2023, Jordan joined the clinical team at AspenRidge Recovery. Jordan describes her approach as eclectic but most beneficial and includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and family-oriented practices.
Outside AspenRidge, Jordan enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, and playing volleyball and soccer. She believes she was probably a rodeo queen in another life and recharges by spending time with friends and family.
Drug Education and Prevention Essay
The issue of drug abuse has been a threat to many economies of the world. This has propelled governments and other community organizations worldwide to formulate ways of curbing this menace from all corners. Among the methods that are used are frank, positive futures and the national drug strategy.
While each of these has its own salient features, they all serve the common goal of educating the public about the risks involved in drug abuse and also the ways of avoiding becoming victims of drug abuse. Some governments and organizations have gone a step ahead and created rehabilitation centers that help those persons recovering from the abuse of drugs.
The extent to which each of the methods used is efficient varies. This is due to the limitation of the policy in rearing some areas of life. In this paper, the modalities that are followed by frank and those that are followed by the positive futures are measured against one another with an aim of comparing their effectiveness and coming up with appropriate recommendations for each.
For the purpose of the study, the information that is contained in the course material chilling out: the cultural politics of substance consumption, youth and drug policy by Blackman S. is heavily relied upon (Spring1 2010, 30).
The biggest questions that the book-chilling out poses are; the connection between politics of drug war and the prevention of drug abuse, popular culture and also the consumption of drugs. The book is critical of many methods that are used in curbing the crime of drug abuse.
The various policies that are in place concerning drug abuse are critically looked into and the loopholes that are present are brought out in clear. The book brings out the relevance of the main economy to the policies that are made concerning the issue of drug abuse. The book also criticizes the assumptions that the policy makers have made as some of them are unrealistic (Blackman 2003, 45).
The author furthermore tackles the moral obligation of the various stakeholders in the policy making and implementation of the education and prevention of drug abuse. The books main target of the book is the prevention of drug abuse.
Its main take is that if enough prevention measures are put in place, then the cases of drug abuse will be relatively lowered and thus the costs that are incurred in the rehabilitation of the drug addicts are effectively lowered (Spring1 2010, 23).
The effect of art in the course of tackling drug prevention and education is also brought out in the light. The author applauds the efforts that are being put in place by the musicians, media, and the cultural studies in helping the society to learn the dangers of drug abuse.
The policies that are being made in enhancing the artists in their endeavors are also tackled in this book. The book is recommendable to any study into the cases of drug abuse education and prevention (MacLean 2005, 10).
The frank method works in a friendly manner. Then name Frank in itself sounds like a name of some individual. On the contrary it is not. The name was coined out of the method that the campaign is carried out and so frank is a friend mainly of the youth he understands what they are going through and talks to the youth with a tone of understanding.
He talks of the issues that affect the livelihood of the youth and relates that to the drug abuse and comes up with a way of solving these problems. The drugs that are mainly targeted are Tobacco, Cannabis, Opiates, alcohol, Ecstasy, Cocaine and derivates, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines and Inhalants/ solvents.
The main target of the program is the youth between the age of 11 and 18 years. The program considers that the persons at this age will be better advised in making their decisions when they attain the age of majority -18 years. Te target facilitators of the program are the parents and professionals whose routine work involves dealing directly with the youth who fall in this age group.
The major theme in the program which is a government initiative is to create awareness among the youth about how much drug abuse can deteriorate the life of the drug user. The program has also been used as a platform through which the government and other persons who would wish to communicate with the young generation have been using. It has been used successfully in learning institutions at the community level and also at the national level at passing down the various government policies that affect the youth.
The method that is used in positive futures is quite different. While Frank shows the youth and other drug users the effects of drug abuse, positive futures focuses on the benefits of living a drug free life. Though both may sound to be similar they are not the same.
The main focus in positive future is to make the youth know how much it shall be profitable to their lives if they shall be able to detach themselves from rugs. This makes it hard for any persons who would wish to glorify drugs as he or she does not get a premise on which to table the motions.
The method that is a national activity involving the youth at the age of between 10 and 19 years has recorded a high reception both on the local and the national levels. It is worthy noting here that it is at this age that most persons are initiated to drug abuse. While those youth who live in less advantaged environments are recorded to get involved in drugs at the ages of 10 to 14 while the others in the society usually get involved when they are between 15 and 19 (Spring2 2010, 33).
In comparison, both methods are seen to targets the youth. This is the first assumption that has been evidenced in both the methods that it is the youth who are adversely affected by the abuse of drugs. On the contrary it has been proved that even persons at advanced ages have fell victim of drug abuse.
The craving for more caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other abused drugs increases with the increased usage as opposed to the thinking that it reduces. Thus even though both the projects help in reducing the occurrence of drug abuse and addiction at the young age and thus on the future old age, the current drug abusers who are beyond the age bracket are left out of the programs.
The usage of modern technology is so evident in both the Frank method and positive future method. While old persons may be content with the old technology, the young persons are always innovative and usually ready to try out new developments in the market.
The fact the two programs run websites which are regularly updated and are in line with current technology; it is a major booster to the programs. This makes it even easier for the policy makers to receive information and feedback from the youth.
The networking of the program has also been made better by use of the new technology. The youth would rather identify themselves with the technology based sources and channel of communication that print media (Spring1 2010, 15).
In contrast, the programs tackle the same topic on different dimensions. The main aims of Frank program is to educate the youth on the dangers of getting involved in drug abuse while the main target of the positive future is to educate the youth on the advantages of living a drug free life.
Thus the activities that are undertaken in positive future are based more on the life skills that are vital in alienating the mind of a young person form having the mentality of drug abuse. The activities involve sports, investments, discussions and also interactions among others.
On the other hand the activities that are included in the Frank method bring out the issue of drug abuse as a vice. This has posed as a threat to the system at last where the victims are turned into heroes and heroines by the spectators.
The other major contrast of the two programs is the persons who are involved in the facilitation of the projects. Frank as stated earlier acts as a friend who is out to help his fellow friend. It is more of a passive voice that knows much about drugs. Thus the program mostly relies on their websites and youth to youth facilitation.
This is in line with the aim of maintaining the confidentiality of the person that is seeking the services of the system. On the other hand, positive future depends on the assistance of parents and other stakeholders in the running of its projects. Unlike Frank whose facilitators are the fellow youth, the facilitators in positive futures are parents and other professionals who are involved in the daily life of the youth (Spring2 2010, 25).
The attainment of a drug free future is the other common goal of the two programs. The target of the youth at their early stages is a clear evidence of this goal. The generation that crops out of these persons are thus prepared to take life positively as well as being educated on the dangers of living in drug abuse. Thus both the Frank projects and positive future projects give birth to a drug free society.
The response that has been received from the Frank method has accusations of false presentation of truth. Due the fact that the method is usually purposed to be friendly to the youth works on the negative as the policy makers are usually too lenient on the youth so that they may not loose the prey.
This leads them to presenting half truths and the result is that the youth end up having only half baked information. Thus the judgment that the person relying on this information makes is not fully informed. The ability of the system to be uplifted to a pint where truth can be told in black and white is rare since the system has to remain youth friendly.
From among the youth the feedback has been on the affirmative. In its first year only, the program recorded a very high number of visits at its official website and many calls. This number has been rising steadily as the days go by. The fact that the youth can be able to comment or even ask questions at a platform that they feel is secure for them has encouraged persons who have issues of drug abuse to come open and share their experiences.
The confidentiality is further enhanced in that the persons running the websites need not know the real person is the one who is been attended to. Some of the youth fearing to be disclosed use fictitious contacts like the email. Their main aim is to benefit from the program (Spring 2 2010, 14).
The magnitude of the youth who participate in the program has made even more trust it even though they were earlier conservative about the program. The youth have been passing the information about the program to one another. Also the use of parents, guidance and teachers as the facilitators of the program has been received in good faith and has made the number of beneficiates of the program to rise. Then parents have been sending the information about the programs through their own social networks that is different form the official websites that the program uses (Spring1 2010, 33).
The response that is received from the positive futures has been good with a record 59000 youth at the age of 10 to 16 attending positive future projects in 2009. This was a 65% rise from the number that attended the projects in the previous year from the same age bracket. While this was not evident at the early stages of the program the trend is changing and many more youth are expected to take part in future projects.
Apart from taking part in the projects, the participants have received both awards and experience in the activities that they have been engaged in the positive future projects. Some have even made up their minds to take up some of these activities as their career choice. This has been so common in the sporting activities where the participants have been reported to take professional sportsmanship after getting involved in positive future projects.
Blackman has been critical of the areas that are covered by the Frank initiative. According to Blackman, the measures to counter the issue of drug abuse should be a continuous process that involves education at early stages of life. Thus there should be introductory classes for persons below the age of 11 that the program covers. This is to create preparedness on the youth even before they are involved with other more involving projects at the age of 11.
This is also the case for the positive futures. The introductory lessons are missing in the project at early stages. This at some point affects some learners considering that the ability to absorb information varies. The persons with slow learning capability may thus feel disadvantaged as opposed to when introductions are done at early stages. More over there are activities that can involve the persons at lower age groups.
The contribution that chilling out makes in the fight against drug abuse is however priceless. The book tackles the issue of art as a way of dealing with the cases of drug abuse. As we have seen, the above two and many other programs are targeted towards the youth since they are the most affected.
Similarly, the youth have a better taste for art than any other group. This qualifies the use of music, and other literal means in reaching out to the persons whom the information about drug abuse education and prevention is intended. This is part of the activities that positive future uses in its education projects. Like sports, the field of art has recorded a good number of persons who after passing through the projects decide to take as a career (Smart, 2005, 32).
For any of the programs to be sufficiently effective, it should have legality. This is an issue that Blackman does not leave out. He calls upon the government to make legislation that encourages the education and prevention programs. Both Frank and positive future programs have had legislation that help them in achieving both their short term and also long term goals. The availability of these laws assist and also guide the policy makers in coming up with projects that are legal and keeps them in the safe side of the law (Blackman 2003, 70).
In conclusion, the two programs can be termed effective each on its own way. The concurrent implementation of both projects has been praised by many persons as being counter productive in that the persons who fail the target of Frank method are easily captured in the positive future programs.
Recommendations are however made for the projects to cover even the victims of drug abuse who fall above the age groups that are represented by the two programs. Even though the government has other programs that cater for the persons in those age groups, the productivity of Frank and positive future programs has been rated so high in consideration.
This recommendation is made considering that the cut-off of the target group is at the age when most youth start to be engaged in income generating activities. This makes them vulnerable to many pleasures with drug abuse being one of them.
Blackman, S. 2003. Chilling Out: The Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy . London. Amazon.
MacLean, S. 2006. Book review: Chilling Out: The Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy . London. Amazon.
Smart, R. 2005. Book Review. Chilling Out: The Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy . London: Amazon.
Spring. 2010. Models and Methods of Drug Education 1: Drug Prevention through Social Marketing . Manchester.
Spring. 2010. Models and Methods of Drug Education 2: Youth Development and ‘Diversionary Activities’ . Manchester.
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“Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: The Best Strategy”
Why is adolescence a critical time for preventing drug addiction.
As noted previously, the early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of becoming addicted. Remember, drugs change the brain—and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks.
Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult, a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use. For a teenager, risky times include moving, family divorce, or changing schools. 35 When children advance from elementary through middle school, they face new and challenging social, family, and academic situations. Often during this period, children are exposed to substances such as cigarettes and alcohol for the first time. When they enter high school, teens may encounter greater availability of drugs, drug use by older teens, and social activities where drugs are used.
A certain amount of risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. The desire to try new things and become more independent is healthy, but it may also increase teens’ tendencies to experiment with drugs. The parts of the brain that control judgment and decision-making do not fully develop until people are in their early or mid-20s; this limits a teen’s ability to accurately assess the risks of drug experimentation and makes young people more vulnerable to peer pressure. 36
Because the brain is still developing, using drugs at this age has more potential to disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control. 12 So, it’s not surprising that teens who use alcohol and other drugs often have family and social problems, poor academic performance, health-related problems (including mental health conditions), and involvement with the juvenile justice system.
Can research-based programs prevent drug addiction in youth?
Yes. Scientists have developed a broad range of programs that positively alter the balance between risk and protective factors for drug use in families, schools, and communities. Studies have shown that research-based programs, such as described in NIDA’s Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide and Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders , can significantly reduce early use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. 37 Also, while many social and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people perceive drug use as harmful, they often reduce their level of use. 38
How do research-based prevention programs work?
These prevention programs work to boost protective factors and eliminate or reduce risk factors for drug use. The programs are designed for various ages and can be used in individual or group settings, such as the school and home. There are three types of programs:
- Universal programs address risk and protective factors common to all children in a given setting, such as a school or community.
- Selective programs are for groups of children and teens who have specific factors that put them at increased risk of drug use.
- Indicated programs are designed for youth who have already started using drugs.
Young Brains Under Study
Using cutting-edge imaging technology, scientists from the NIDA’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study will look at how childhood experiences, including the use of any drugs, interact with each other and with a child’s changing biology to affect brain development and social, behavioral, academic, health, and other outcomes. As the only study of its kind, the ABCD study will yield critical insights into the foundational aspects of adolescence that shape a person’s future.
These brain images show the reward-related circuity in the cortical and subcortical regions of the brain that tend to be more active when a child is successful at achieving a reward. While all of the images show the regions of the brain that are active to reward, the regions in yellow and red are the most active.
Courtesy of the ABCD Study. Adapted from Casey et al., 2018. ScienceDirect, The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study: Imaging acquisition across 21 sites
Economics of Prevention
Benefit-per-dollar cost ratios for evidence-based interventions range from small returns per dollar invested to more than $65 every dollar invested. 39
Drugs, Health & Society Copyright © 2024 by Rodney Ragsdale; Jacqueline Schwab; Denise Salters; Christy Bazan; Brandi Barnes; Ryan Santens; and Emily Verone is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention
Students are often asked to write an essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
Let’s take a look…
100 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention
Understanding drug abuse.
Drug abuse means using drugs in a harmful way. People, especially young ones, may use illegal drugs or misuse prescribed medicine. This can hurt their health, friendships, and future. It is a serious problem that affects many lives.
Reasons People Abuse Drugs
Some people start using drugs out of curiosity, to fit in, or to escape problems. Over time, their bodies crave these drugs. This can lead to addiction, which is when they can’t stop using the drug even if it causes harm.
Effects of Drug Abuse
Abusing drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. It can make a person act differently and lead to bad decisions. Sometimes, it can even cause death. Drug abuse also causes problems in families and communities.
Preventing Drug Abuse
Prevention is about education and support. Schools and families can teach about the dangers of drugs. Communities can provide activities to keep young people busy. If someone is struggling, counseling and treatment can help them stop using drugs.
250 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention
Drug abuse means using drugs in a way that harms a person’s health and life. When someone takes more medicine than their doctor says, or uses drugs like marijuana, cocaine, or heroin that are illegal, they are abusing drugs. This can lead to addiction, where a person can’t stop using the drug even when it’s hurting them.
Why People Abuse Drugs
People might start abusing drugs for many reasons. They might feel a lot of pressure, want to fit in with friends, or try to escape problems. Sometimes, they’re curious or just want to feel good. But using drugs can make things worse and cause more problems, like bad health, trouble with the law, and losing friends and family.
Stopping drug abuse starts with education. Schools and families should teach kids about the dangers of drugs. It’s also important to have activities that keep kids busy and happy without drugs, like sports or clubs. Parents and teachers should also pay attention to children’s behavior and help them with any problems they might have.
Getting Help
If someone is already using drugs, it’s important to get help quickly. There are many places that offer support, like counseling, support groups, and treatment programs. Friends and family can help by being understanding and encouraging the person to get help.
Drug abuse is a big problem, but it can be prevented and treated. By teaching kids about the risks, paying attention to their lives, and offering help to those who need it, we can fight against drug abuse and keep our communities safe and healthy.
500 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention
Drug abuse is when someone uses drugs in a way that harms their body or mind. It’s not just about illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine. Sometimes, people misuse prescription drugs too, which are medicines a doctor gives for health problems. When someone takes more than they are supposed to or uses someone else’s medicine, that’s also drug abuse.
People may turn to drugs for many reasons. Some might feel a lot of pressure at school or home and use drugs to escape their problems. Others might think it makes them fit in with a certain group of friends. Some start out of curiosity or because they think it will make them feel good. But using drugs can lead to addiction, which means they can’t stop even if they want to and it starts to cause problems in their life.
Using drugs can hurt your health and change the way you act. It can make it hard to think clearly, make good choices, or even remember things. It can also damage your heart, liver, and other parts of your body. If you keep using drugs, it can lead to addiction and even death. It’s not just your body that gets hurt – drug abuse can ruin relationships with family and friends and make it hard to do well in school.
To stop drug abuse before it starts, it’s important to know the risks and make smart choices. Education is key. Schools and families should teach kids about the dangers of drugs. They should also provide love and support so kids don’t feel like they need drugs to be happy or accepted.
Role of Family and Friends
Your family and friends can help a lot. They can listen to your problems and help you find ways to deal with stress without turning to drugs. Having activities you enjoy, like sports or music, can also keep your mind off drugs. It’s important to have friends who don’t use drugs because they can help you stay on the right path.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, it’s important to get help. There are counselors and rehab programs that can help you stop using drugs and learn how to live without them. It’s not easy, but with the right support, you can overcome addiction.
Drug abuse is a serious problem that can harm your health, relationships, and future. But it can be prevented. By understanding why people abuse drugs and the effects it can have, we can make better choices. With education, support from family and friends, and help from professionals when needed, we can fight against drug abuse and lead healthier, happier lives. Remember, it’s always okay to ask for help if you need it.
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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Drug Addiction — The Causes, Effects and Prevention of Drug Addiction
The Problem of Drug Addiction: Causes, Effects and Solutions
- Categories: Drug Addiction
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Words: 1196 |
Published: Jan 15, 2019
Words: 1196 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read
Table of contents
Causes of drug addiction, effects of drug addiction, how to prevent drug addiction (essay), works cited.
- Doan, H. (2007). Police dogs will sniff out drugs at city schools. The Roanoke Times.
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). Drug addiction (substance use disorder).
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (third edition).
- New York Times. (2009). Drug-sniffing dogs are in demand.
- Psychological Studies and Support to Drug Users. (2014). Teenagers and drug use: Facts and figures.
- Smith, M. J., & Stevens, A. (Eds.). (2013). Drug Policy and the Public Good.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Treatment for substance use disorders.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). World drug report 2021.
- Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.
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Prevention Research: The Fight Against Drug Abuse Essay
1. introduction.
Prevention research is a relatively new scientific field that creates research base on prevention. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has defined prevention research as a scientific investigation to test the effectiveness of preventive measures to reduce the burden of a disease in a community. They go on further to differentiate it from public health research in general. This area of research has the potential for great public health benefits by demonstrating that diseases or disorders can be avoided and that medical treatments are not always necessary. Drug abuse prevention research has great implications for the quality of life in America. The problem of drug abuse is so detrimental to society and the ability to demonstrate that it can be alleviated through preventive measures will have a far-reaching impact. The benefits of drug abuse prevention research extend to both the scientific community and the public. It not only provides the tools to implement effective prevention measures, but also demonstrates to policy makers the cost effectiveness of prevention. Job and Wong suggest that the scientific knowledge accumulated from prevention research may be even more important and valuable than the behavior changes produced by prevention programs. If this knowledge can be conveyed to the public policy arena it has the potential to shift the societal view on drugs and drug use.
1.1 Importance of Prevention Research
We use the term that has a diverse definition by different people in different areas. Healey defined research as an honest, searching effort to know more about the natural world. In other words, research is the way to find truth. As for Notoatmodjo, research is an activity that is planned, systematic and conducted continuously, with the goal of increasing knowledge and finding solutions to problems. Coming from this definition, research can be interpreted as a conscious and well-planned activity to find solutions to problems by learning the steps that lead to research practice, to increase knowledge, and make decisions. The difference between the use of this term used in the beginning is that Atmodjo is more focused on questioning, whereas Healey is more general. However, both are used to find particular problems through understanding, solve the problems, and gain knowledge that is useful for making decisions.
1.2 Scope of Drug Abuse Problem
Abuse of alcohol and licit drugs has become a major problem in the United States, particularly in the case of adolescents and young adults. The number of dependent users has constantly increased, the age at which individuals start to use these substances has steadily declined, and the number of emergency room mentions and deaths due to licit drug overdoses has risen dramatically. In fact, chronic diseases which are presently the most common health problems among adolescents and young adults in the United States are largely preventable patterns of behavior which are established in youth and young adulthood such as: tobacco use, poor eating and exercise habits, and excessive alcohol and/or substance use (National Research Council, 2001). In addition, use of specific licit drugs may impact on incidence of mental health disorders. For example, cannabis use precipitates schizophrenia in persons who are vulnerable to the illness. Cigarette smoking is often correlated with mental health disorders and alcohol is frequently involved in deliberate self-harm and has been found to be a contributing factor in affective disorders and suicidality. In order to minimize these problems and promote improvements in public health, it is important to understand patterns of licit drug use and the contextual factors which influence them. This knowledge will allow the development of interventions which have the greatest impact in minimizing drug-related harm.
1.3 Objectives of the Essay
Objective of this essay is to discuss the trend of drug abuse in youths and adults which create a devastating effect on the society. In addition to that, I would also examine the preventive measures that are being taken till now and the possible preventive measures that could be taken in the near future to prevent drug abuse. The study would be much focused on the preventive research community that is taking steps to curb down the drug abuse. It will also help to analyze the success of various community research programs in preventing drug abuse at various stages and the shortcomings that lead to the failure of the program. Towards the end, it will discuss the limitations and the future implications for the preventive community in preventing drug abuse. Drug abuse has become a growing problem all over the world and it has led to an increase in criminal activities. Millions of people get addicted to harmful substances every year and only a few, a fraction of them, attempt to seek professional help. The drug abuse has more adverse effects on the youth and hence it is necessary to undertake measures at an early age. The studies have shown the adverse effects of drug abuse on the physical, mental, and social behavior of an individual. It also leads to a decrease in grades in studies, depression, anxiety, and also isolation from society. In severe cases, suicide tendency is also seen in drug addicts. The preventive measures thus are very necessary to curb down the drug abuse. Although there is no clear evidence which shows the success of these preventive measures, still there is a persisting trend for the research community to attempt various programs at different levels and to analyze the mode of success for the program.
2. Current Approaches in Drug Abuse Prevention
The key themes that emerge from the preceding chapters are that effective drug abuse prevention programs have become more comprehensive and have incorporated more etiological theory in their design. For example, preventive interventions are increasingly targeting psychosocial risk and protective factors in an effort to affect mediators of substance use behaviors. This is a positive trend. Given the complexity of substance use behaviors and the many potential risk and protective factors, it is unlikely that a single prevention strategy will be effective in preventing substance abuse in all individuals. It is more likely that different interventions will be effective for different subgroups of individuals, determined by risk profile. Interventions that are matched to subgroups of individuals at highest risk for substance use and abuse are likely to be more cost-effective than those that are applied to general populations. This theme of the need for increased matching of prevention strategies to specifically defined target groups pervades discussions of future directions for prevention research. Hallfors and Godette note the dearth of well-defined preventive interventions that target the transition to high school. They point out that this grade transition is associated with higher levels of drug initiation and could be an opportune time for preventive interventions that delay onset of substance use. Developmental periods such as this one may create unique windows of opportunity for preventive intervention with particularly high-risk individuals. There are etiological theories that mirror these subgroup-focused strategies, such as the emerging field of "stage-based" interventions which tailor interventions to the individual's readiness to change and the specific factors that influence this readiness. In summary, discussions of future directions for prevention research consistently point to the need for more etiologically complex and theoretically driven interventions that are matched to high-risk populations or individuals. The complexity of these strategies will require a broad base of basic etiological research as well as further testing in applied intervention research. The ongoing translation of basic etiological research to effective preventive interventions will represent one of the most important challenges for the field of prevention research in the coming decades.
2.1 Education and Awareness Programs
The prevention of drug abuse has been the subject of intense research in recent years. Researchers have focused on a variety of settings and diverse populations in developing and testing preventive interventions. This paper describes the current status of drug abuse prevention research and practice, with a focus on the research settings and strategies that have been studied to date. The paper also addresses some of the key methodological issues involved in prevention research and describes several areas where more research is needed. By drawing attention to the great need for effective preventive interventions and targeted research to build the knowledge base in this field, the paper seeks to stimulate critical thinking and new approaches to the complex problems of drug abuse and addiction. Schools have long been a priority setting for prevention research and practice. This is with good reason. The early school years are an opportune time for preventive interventions, and there is a great deal of evidence indicating that drug use rates among youth have not substantially increased, nor decreased, since 1975. During the past three decades, literally billions of dollars have been spent on school-based prevention programs, most of which have been drug-specific. However, the efficacy of these programs has been disappointing. The recent surge in popularity of "zero-tolerance" policies and strategies in schools is a clear example of an approach that has not been empirically validated. In the absence of effective alternatives, the "just say no" message has often been the fallback and widespread course of action. Yet, by now it is widely recognized that abstinence appeals are not sufficient, and that educational strategies must be comprehensive and developmentally appropriate if they are to change behavior. In the area of drug abuse prevention, as in education generally, schools are under increasing pressure to implement programs which are evidence-based. This is creating a growing demand for prevention curricula that are theory-driven and tested in rigorous research studies.
2.2 Community-Based Prevention Initiatives
"Community" has been all things to all investigators. Primarily, it has been a place, and research on "community" drug prevention programs has mainly been place-specific and environment-oriented. There has been less emphasis on intervening into communities or for community change. "Community" has also been used loosely to describe populations and groups along with specific political and cultural endeavors. A third common use of the term has been to describe psychology interventions and approaches that are community-based. In this case, the setting is less important than the process of intervention. This may occur in communities, schools, or outpatient clinics. The idea of "community" action suggests a joined-up effort or a well-coordinated cooperation of interventions. This idea has appealed to those who believe that preventing drug abuse requires multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary efforts. Then there is the concept of communities of different sizes and shapes within societies such as indigenous communities or youth subcultures. Finally, community prevention is seen as a more affordable alternative to universal or mass-media strategies. Community-focused prevention interventions are based on the premise that human behavior is influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of friends, families, and others within social networks, and that behavior change can result from influences. These interventions assume that drug abuse behavioral change within the community will result in a decrease in the availability of drugs and/or a change in community norms favorable to drug abuse. This approach has intuitive appeal and has shown some promise. It also shows a more sophisticated understanding of the concept of community and prevention than simply targeting places where there are clusters of at-risk individuals. Community-based drug prevention programs have been implemented around the world and in a variety of settings: communities can range from national, state or province, to school, workplace, or of course neighborhood. Settings can also be defined by social class, ethnicity, or shared interest, needs, or risk. However, very little research has been conducted on what makes a good or effective program. Sufficient theoretical explanation or description of interventions is often lacking, and efforts suffer from evaluation. Programs often default to health promotion with an emphasis on public education and policy changes.
2.3 Law Enforcement and Legal Measures
The criminal justice system plays a critical role in drug abuse prevention. The primary goal of legal measures aimed at drug abuse prevention is general and specific deterrence – to prevent drug abuse through the threat of legal sanctions, and to further prevent illicit substances from being introduced into the general population. There are several strategies aimed at each of these goals including domestic law enforcement, interdiction and international efforts. General deterrence, or the prevention of drug abuse through threat of legal sanctions, is a function of the certainty and celerity of punishment. Increases in the certainty of punishment are expected to reduce the likelihood of drug abuse through increasing the probability of receiving a punitive consequence. This assumes that potential drug users are rational actors who carefully consider the costs and benefits of their actions. The higher the likelihood of a negative legal consequence, the higher the perceived cost of drug use, and the less likely the action will be taken. This model has its basis in rational choice theory, and has been the most common tool used by the criminal justice system in drug abuse prevention. Measures used to increase the certainty of punishment have included mandatory sentencing, three strikes laws, and increased police and probation officer presence in at-risk neighborhoods. Celerity of punishment is the swiftness with which punishment is meted out, and it is expected to increase the perceived costs of drug abuse if unpleasant consequences are delivered quickly following the drug abuse action. Although often ineffective, this strategy has at times been implemented through special drug courts and shorter case processing time. Measures aimed to increase general deterrence are typically structured sentencing policies which require harsh punishment on certain drug offenses, and are utilized both at federal and state level court systems. Due to the fact that a significant portion of drug offenses have historically not resulted in jail time, efforts to increase general deterrence often require legislative or voter approval of more spending on the criminal justice system at the expense of other social programs.
3. Advancements in Prevention Research
Advances in drug abuse prevention research have resulted in more effective methods for detecting and inhibiting drug use among both children and adults. Currently, we have a much better understanding of what strategies are most effective in preventing drug use initiation in youth as well as how to prevent relapse among those who have ceased drug use. In addition to the focus on more clearly defined high-risk populations, researchers have learned to adopt a targeted method for implementing intervention components. This allows for the best use of resources in that interventions are delivered efficiently to those who need it, while avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. Also, we now understand that drug use behavior is highly complex and is influenced by an array of factors on individual, interpersonal, and societal levels. This has led to the adoption of integrative methodologies and an increased focus on interventions designed to affect change at each of these levels. Finally, collaboration has become a key component for successful prevention research. This includes collaborative efforts between scientists and communities as well as among various scientific disciplines. To affect change in drug abuse behavior, prevention researchers recognize the need to unite and apply an organized, comprehensive approach to their efforts. Each of these advances in prevention research is contributing to the heightened success in drug abuse prevention in the United States and abroad.
3.1 Innovative Strategies and Technologies
The first theme deserving attention is the rapid advancements in the development and utilization of innovative strategies and technologies to enhance research on the prevention of drug abuse. These technologies and strategies span a wide range including basic methodological research on measurement and data collection, to interventions that use the latest scientific findings from diverse fields to create and test new prevention strategies. A sampling of the diverse innovative strategies and technologies that are currently being employed in prevention research is provided to illustrate the scope and breadth of this theme. In the area of measurement and data collection, recent advances in technology have greatly expanded the tools available to prevention researchers. These include new computerized and web-based methods of data collection, geographical information systems (GIS), and biomarkers. These tools provide new and powerful ways to collect and analyze data relevant to drug abuse prevention. An important area of methodological research is the development of improved methods to assess and analyze complex causal pathways that influence risk and protective factors for drug abuse. This includes the use of longitudinal data analysis, and the application of new modeling methods such as agent-based modeling. These methods have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of the complex causal processes that lead to drug abuse, and to provide more precise guides for the development of effective prevention strategies.
3.2 Targeted Interventions for At-Risk Populations
To develop preventive interventions targeting populations at risk for drug abuse, it is important to understand that the term "at risk" is a general designation for individuals with higher than average probability of drug abuse. These range from transient situational factors that can elevate risk for some individuals at certain times in their life, such as peer pressure, social alienation or academic failure, to more stable factors, such as those with a history of physical or sexual abuse, and those in lower income neighborhoods. Many of these risk factors have been identified through correlational research on drug abuse and a range of psychiatric disorders. For example, the early onset of conduct problems, involvement in deviant behavior, association with drug-abusing peers, poor familial management, parent drug abuse, child maltreatment and abuse, and unsatisfactory academic achievement have all been linked to higher incidence of drug abuse. For some of the more pervasive and stable risk factors, interventions may need to be quite broad, such as a public information campaign to improve parental skills, while others can be more specifically targeted. An example of the latter would be identifying children with low academic achievement in an inner city school, and then providing extra tuition in an attempt to prevent later drug abuse.
3.3 The Role of Public Health in Prevention Research
In the last century, great strides have been made in the area of public health. In the early 1900s, health was viewed as simply the absence of disease. However, with the increase in chronic diseases, conditions, and their risk factors, an entirely new approach to the creation of a healthier society is necessary. To that extent, it would be useful to build upon the etiological knowledge of how diseases originate and progress. This very philosophy is the basis for prevention research: to understand causation and implement strategies to eliminate it and prevent the onset of disease. This paper seeks to explore how prevention research has evolved throughout the years and its advancements. Public health is any collective activity to promote, protect, and improve the health of a community or population. Prevention research seeks to identify strategies and methodologies that are cost-effective in the avoidance and elimination of disease and other health threats. This concept initially seemed to be synonymous with public health; however, the shift in focus of public health to prevention is recent and is linked to the emergence of chronic diseases and their global impact. With this shift in focus, prevention research was seen as the best strategy to either solve or mitigate health issues. The above concepts are supported by a theoretical model that deems proper validation of the biomedical knowledge relative to disease and implementation of strategies to prevent disease onset as preventive intervention. This framework seeks to build a bridge between causation and eradicative action. An example of such activities is laws and regulations to improve air and water quality, which stemmed from epidemiological data showing adverse health effects from pollution. In a more recent example, the success of tobacco control policy is touted as a major victory of public health. In global health, prevention research has been further promoted as a means to solve health disparities between developed and developing countries. Collectively, these efforts are steadily moving the preventive intervention continuum closer to disease causation, with the ultimate goal of disease prevention and health promotion. Measures of the effectiveness and overall impact of preventive intervention include the actual reduction of health problems or risks, and economic and social savings for the investment made.
3.4 Collaboration and Partnerships in Prevention Efforts
Public-private partnerships, interagency collaboration, and coordinated efforts among various organizations have been encouraged in efforts to transfer research findings to communities and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of prevention efforts. The formation of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the joining of the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a prevention-focused partner has led to collaborative research initiatives. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has also had an enormous impact on improving coordination of prevention efforts across the nation. In the area of substance abuse prevention, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) is charged with the responsibility of preventing the onset and reducing the progression of substance abuse and its related problems. Early in its development, SAMHSA recognized the potential of CSAP and the prevention field and invested in research and evaluation to improve the likelihood that effective programs and policies will be implemented in the communities that are most in need. Currently, CSAP has adopted a more science-based approach to prevention by using research to inform the development of policies and programs. International collaborative efforts have recently been advancing the field of prevention. Special populations such as immigrants, refugees, and indigenous peoples have unique factors related to culture, history, and political status that impact substance abuse and prevention. A group of prevention scientists from around the world have begun collaborating on a series of papers providing a global perspective on the state of the art of the prevention of substance abuse and related problems. This collaboration has the potential to bridge the gap between prevention research and practice and to share lessons learned with existing prevention efforts in various communities.
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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: The Best Strategy
Why is adolescence a critical time for preventing drug addiction.
As noted previously, early use of drugs increases a person's chances of becoming addicted. Remember, drugs change the brain—and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks.
Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult, a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use. For a teenager, risky times include moving, family divorce, or changing schools. 35 When children advance from elementary through middle school, they face new and challenging social, family, and academic situations. Often during this period, children are exposed to substances such as cigarettes and alcohol for the first time. When they enter high school, teens may encounter greater availability of drugs, drug use by older teens, and social activities where drugs are used. When individuals leave high school and live more independently, either in college or as an employed adult, they may find themselves exposed to drug use while separated from the protective structure provided by family and school.
A certain amount of risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. The desire to try new things and become more independent is healthy, but it may also increase teens’ tendencies to experiment with drugs. The parts of the brain that control judgment and decision-making do not fully develop until people are in their early or mid-20s. This limits a teen’s ability to accurately assess the risks of drug experimentation and makes young people more vulnerable to peer pressure. 36
Because the brain is still developing, using drugs at this age has more potential to disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control. 12
Can research-based programs prevent drug addiction in youth?
Yes. The term research-based or evidence-based means that these programs have been designed based on current scientific evidence, thoroughly tested, and shown to produce positive results. Scientists have developed a broad range of programs that positively alter the balance between risk and protective factors for drug use in families, schools, and communities. Studies have shown that research-based programs, such as described in NIDA’s Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide and Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders , can significantly reduce early use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. 37 Also, while many social and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people perceive drug use as harmful, they often reduce their level of use. 38
How do research-based prevention programs work?
These prevention programs work to boost protective factors and eliminate or reduce risk factors for drug use. The programs are designed for various ages and can be used in individual or group settings, such as the school and home. There are three types of programs:
- Universal programs address risk and protective factors common to all children in a given setting, such as a school or community.
- Selective programs are for groups of children and teens who have specific factors that put them at increased risk of drug use.
- Indicated programs are designed for youth who have already started using drugs.
Young Brains Under Study
Using cutting-edge imaging technology, scientists from the NIDA’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study will look at how childhood experiences, including use of any drugs, interact with each other and with a child’s changing biology to affect brain development and social, behavioral, academic, health, and other outcomes. As the only study of its kind, the ABCD study will yield critical insights into the foundational aspects of adolescence that shape a person’s future.
Economics of Prevention
Evidence-based interventions for substance use can save society money in medical costs and help individuals remain productive members of society. Such programs can return anywhere from very little to $65 per every dollar invested in prevention. 39
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Drug prevention is very important. It helps keep us safe and healthy. By working together, we can stop drug use and create a better future for all. 500 Words Essay on Drug Prevention Understanding Drug Prevention. Drug prevention is about stopping people, especially young ones, from starting to use drugs.
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Learn how drug education can prevent, treat, and recover from substance abuse and addiction. Find out the latest research, resources, and programs to inform and protect communities and individuals from the impact of drugs.
Book Review. Chilling Out: The Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy. London: Amazon. Spring. 2010. Models and Methods of Drug Education 1: Drug Prevention through Social Marketing. Manchester. Spring. 2010. Models and Methods of Drug Education 2: Youth Development and 'Diversionary Activities'. Manchester.
Conclusion. In conclusion, drug abuse is a complex problem that requires a multi-dimensional approach to tackle. The causes of drug abuse are rooted in genetic, environmental, and social factors, while its effects can be physical, psychological, and social.Prevention and treatment of drug abuse are crucial in addressing this problem, with education and awareness campaigns, treatment options ...
Yes. Scientists have developed a broad range of programs that positively alter the balance between risk and protective factors for drug use in families, schools, and communities.Studies have shown that research-based programs, such as described in NIDA's Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide and Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents ...
Abusing drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. It can make a person act differently and lead to bad decisions. Sometimes, it can even cause death. Drug abuse also causes problems in families and communities. Preventing Drug Abuse. Prevention is about education and support. Schools and families can teach about the dangers ...
According to Sourav, addiction itself is a dangerous effect of heroin. Thus, illegal drugs negatively affect the consumer both psychologically and physically. How to prevent Drug addiction (essay) Illegal drugs tend to be highly addictive compared to those that are legal and cause far more damage to the body and organs than prescribed drugs.
1. Introduction Prevention research is a relatively new scientific field that creates research base on prevention. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has defined prevention research as a scientific investigation to test the effectiveness of preventive measures to reduce the burden of a disease in a community. They go on further to differentiate it from public health research in general. This area ...
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