Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition, In Brief

• NCJ Number: 203553
• Date Published: October 2003
• Length: 58 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Sale Source: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: See NCJ-203554 for the full version of the publication.

Annotation

This report offers a summary version of information regarding how to develop and implement effective drug abuse prevention programs for the Nation’s youth.

Abstract

Preventing drug abuse among the Nation’s youth is one of the main goals of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). As such, this booklet offers a brief summary of the information contained in the publication of the same title. This version offers updated prevention principles, an overview of program planning, and first steps for prevention. After an introduction, the booklet presents 16 prevention principles, broken down into the categories of risk and protective factors, prevention planning in school and family settings, and prevention program delivery. Next, chapter 1 focuses on risk and protective factors and offers information regarding the early signs of risk for drug abuse problems, the highest risk periods for youth, and how drug abuse begins and progresses. The five main risk factors for drug abuse are described as early aggressive behavior, lack of parental supervision, peers who abuse substances, drug availability, and poverty. Protective factors include self-control, parental monitoring, academic competence, anti-drug use policies, and strong neighborhood attachment. Chapter 2 moves on to a discussion of how to plan for drug abuse prevention in the community. This chapter focuses on ways the community can assess the level of risk for drug abuse and how communities can develop, implement, and assess the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention efforts. Chapter 3 offers tips for applying prevention principles to drug abuse prevention programs. Under examination is how risk and protective factors can be addressed in prevention programs, the essential elements of research-based prevention programs, and how to effectively implement and sustain effective prevention programs. Chapter 4 presents examples of research-based drug prevention programs, including universal programs, selective programs, indicated programs, and tiered programs. Finally, chapter 5 offers selected references and resources for further study about drug abuse prevention and program planning. Tables, references