NCJ Number
204652
Date Published
2003
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This guide provides State and local officials with information on how to create a youth Web-based program in the prevention of drug abuse.
Abstract
One of the aims of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Global Youth Network project is to ensure that youth are creatively and effectively engaged with drug abuse prevention initiatives. One such creative and effective initiative is the Internet which is a medium of great interest and relevance to youth, the target audience. The Internet can offer an effective avenue in drug abuse prevention because of its popularity, ubiquity, and potential reach. Through the Global Youth Network project, this “How to Guide" was developed as a result of discussions held in Greece in 2002 with youth experts, as well as working with a group of youth currently active with online youth prevention projects in Belgium, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Slovenia. The guide’s intent is to help those with the “do’s and don’ts” of creating a drug prevention Web site, including ideas for involving youth in the Web site planning, development, evaluation, upkeep, and growth. The main aim of the guide is to clear the confusion and lessen the intimidation that can exist for organizations and groups taking their first steps toward creating a net-based prevention initiative. It is recommended that the guide be used in conjunction with the participatory handbook on needs assessment and program planning produced by the Global Youth Network project of the UNODC. Activities such as enhancing decisionmaking skills, nurturing relationships with caring adults and practicing communication skills can all be facilitated by appropriately designed net-based programs.