NCJ Number
200606
Date Published
2002
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This document provides suggestions for more effective practice in the field of drug abuse prevention based on lessons learned.
Abstract
Approximately 84 percent of governments responding to a United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) questionnaire indicate that they had adopted a national drug strategy or plan. The remaining 16 percent either did not have a national drug strategy or action plan, or were in the process of elaborating one. Key lessons learned in drug abuse prevention are presented from 15 case studies selected from around the world. Understanding and involving the beneficiaries in the planning phases, designing the project to meet specific needs, focusing on long-term rather than short-term approaches, and ensuring the project is complementary to other projects, are recommended. Objectives and expectations of all stakeholders involved in the program should be clear before project implementation. Cooperation and partnerships with local government, non-government organizations, and the community allows an exchange of information and experience, and leads to the development of a common strategy and the pooling of resources. The community, organizations, schools, parents, and youth are all valuable resources to be considered when designing and implementing a drug abuse prevention program. Potential strategies to address the drug abuse problem include mentoring, peer education, gender sensitive approaches, programs in the workplace or correctional system, and viewing prevention as a child’s right. Sufficient training is needed for those that implement the programs. Sustainability of the program can be enhanced through capacity building of existing organizations, target group involvement, government support, and secured funding. Creating a network between non-government organizations minimizes competition and the duplication of efforts, enhances the pooling of resources, and allows support between agencies and the sharing of information. Policy recommendations include commissioning more research into the prevalence and social dimensions of drug abuse; investing in the provision of information about and training in evaluation methods; and adopting appropriate and relevant legislation to ensure continuity and achieve the desired objectives.