NCJ Number
160487
Date Published
Unknown
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Juvenile drug use is discussed in terms of its causes, prevention, and effective school policies, based on a review of the literature.
Abstract
Designers of programs may have the goal to prevent any use of alcohol or other drugs. However, they need to recognize the difference between drug experimentation and drug abuse. Youth initially try drugs due to curiosity, peer pressure, and a desire to emulate adult behavior. However, drug abusers discover that drugs fill psychological and social needs that the experimenter is able to meet in drug-free ways. The risk factors that are likely to predispose children to future drug abuse include family management problems, early antisocial behavior, academic underachievement, alienation, rebelliousness, lack of social bonding to society, antisocial behavior in early adolescence, friends who use drugs, early first use of drugs, and parental drug use. A comprehensive prevention strategy should use a combination of techniques and methods; involve parents; and include a strong balance between family, community, and school. Programs that help children develop interpersonal skills, the involvement of students in developing a plan to solve their school's drug problem, and providing high-intensity alternatives to drug use have all effective. Schools should avoid a purely punitive drug policy, provide therapeutic counseling for at-risk students, use peer support, bring student team learning into the classroom, and ensure that everyone involved communicates a no-use message. List of 7 recommended publications and 8 resource organizations