Narconon, a non-profit program that aims to eliminate drug abuse through prevention, education and rehabilitation, indicates that there are an estimated 15 million drug users in the United States. Increasingly, children are using drugs and alcohol at alarming rates. Research-based drug and alcohol programs have been developed to help people of all ages develop skills they need to resist engaging in behaviors that could lead to addiction.
Programs
There are a variety of drug prevention programs available to people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic standing. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) evaluates such programs and divides them into three categories. Universal programs are designed for anyone, are community-based and are implemented outside of a school setting. Selected programs are designed for specific ages or risk levels. These programs may be conducted in school or after school. Indicated programs target those with specific needs and challenges and are implemented in a clinic setting.
Principles
NIDA has identified a list of principles used to develop prevention programs. Prevention programs should reduce or reverse the risk factors that cause abusive and addictive behavior. Programs need to address all forms of drug abuse including underage use, and use of illegal and legally obtained substances, like alcohol, tobacco and prescription medications. Programs need to address problems specific to certain communities and populations.
Prevention Program Content
Programs can be divided into three categories: community, school and family. In a community setting, programs focus on drug trends, developing social skills, exploring tolerance and implementing community services like drug-free zones. School programs focus on drug effects, develop students' skills to resist conformity, peer pressure and stereotyping. Services like counseling and teacher and mentor training are implemented. Family programs focus on identifying drug abuse symptoms, developing parenting skills and using home drug testing and curfews to provide structure.
Examples of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programs
Caring School Community Program is a universal curriculum that aims to reduce the risk of substance abuse by strengthening students’ connection to community and school. The program uses classroom and home activities to promote family, peer and teacher-student relationships.
Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) is a program that promotes emotional and social health, reduction of aggression and behavior problems in elementary school kids. It’s a multiyear school program that helps improve behaviors of at-risk children.
The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 offers seven sessions for parents and kids. The program addresses issues of peer pressure and parent-child relationships.
Trends
Alcohol and drug prevention programs began gaining wide approval in the mid 1980s. “Monitoring The Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use,” an overview of key findings in 2008 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and The University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, is a long-term study of Americans through the age of 50. Substance abuse habits are a “rapidly changing phenomenon requiring frequent assessments and reassessments.” The survey looked at about 46,000 Americans. Among the drugs that hold steady for illicit abuse include marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens and sedatives. Use of amphetamines, methamphetamines and anabolic steroids continue to show successive declines as of 2010.
Statistics
Alcohol use remains widespread in 2010. About 72 percent of students have consumed alcohol by the end of high school. Nearly half of Americans have tried an illicit drug by the time they leave high school. About 39 percent of eighth graders report that it is fairly easy to get marijuana. Eighty percent of all students in the United States say they would disapprove of inhalant use.
