Prevention strategies targeting youth have evolved
over the past 20 years as evaluation research reveals more about what
works. Several strategies are used effectively, especially in
combination:
This strategy provides awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent
of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, abuse, and addiction and their
effects on individuals, families, and communities, as well as
information to increase perceptions of risk. It also provides knowledge
and awareness of prevention policies, programs, and services. It helps
set and reinforce norms (for example, underage drinking and drug
dealers will not be tolerated in this neighborhood).
This strategy aims to affect critical life and social skills, including
decision making, refusal skills, critical analysis (for example, of
media messages), and systematic and judgmental abilities.
This strategy provides for the participation of targeted populations in
activities that exclude alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by youth.
Constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to, or
otherwise meet the needs usually filled by, alcohol, tobacco, and other
drug use.
This strategy calls for identification, education, and counseling for
those youth who have indulged in age-inappropriate use of tobacco
products or alcohol, or who have indulged in the first use of illicit
drugs. Activities under this strategy would include screening for
tendencies toward substance abuse and referral for preventive treatment
for curbing such tendencies.
This strategy aims to enhance the ability of the community to provide
prevention and treatment services to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug
use disorders more effectively. Activities include organizing,
planning, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of services
implementation, interagency collaboration, coalition building,and
networking. Building healthy communities encourages healthy lifestyle
choices.
This strategy sets up or changes written and unwritten community
standards, code, and attitudes--influencing incidence and prevalence of
alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use problems in the general
population. Included are laws to restrict availability and access,
price increases, and community-wide actions.
References:
The Future by Design: A Community Framework for Preventing Alcohol and
Other Drug Problems Through a Systems Approach (1991) BK189
Frequently Asked Questions about Preventing Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other
Drug Problems (1993) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Hawaii Department of Health
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
601 Kamokila Blvd. Room 360
Kapolei, Hawai'i, 96707
(808) 692-7506
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