NCJ Number
127790
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 25-34
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The two most successful intervention strategies against substance abuse among adolescents have been the "problem-solving" and the "social competency building" approaches.
Abstract
The problem-solving strategy assumes that improving cognitive processes will improve behavioral adjustment and includes how to focus, how to more effectively define the problem, and how to make decisions. The social competency building strategy assumes that abuse is a function of psychosocial skills deficits and aims to develop health promoting behaviors and skills to resist social influence. Interventions must be broad-based and multi-level and involve the teen, peers, parents, and the school. Efforts should focus on the widely used drugs -- marijuana and alcohol. Although its consequences have a potential for great danger, experimenting with drugs seems to be a common characteristic of contemporary adolescence. The focus must be on providing youngsters with a set of alternatives that is just as acceptable but with less potential for self-destruction. 36 references (Author abstract modified)