NCJ Number
193497
Journal
Closing the Gap Dated: June/July 2001 Pages: 1-2,6
Date Published
June 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified and made available to the public more than 35 model programs proven effective in reducing the risk factors for drug abuse.
Abstract
A recent report for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation states that more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities result from drug abuse than from any other preventable condition. The 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse revealed that the highest rates of lifetime illicit drug use was among American Indians and Alaska natives at 51 percent, followed by persons of multiple race (42.2 percent) and white persons (42 percent). The lowest rates were among Black persons (38 percent) and Asian Americans (20.8 percent). CSAP has identified six factors or life domains that can work to either increase or decrease the risk of an individual’s becoming a drug abuser. These factors are society, community, school, family, peer, and individual. All 35 model programs work on more than one domain at a time. Central to each program’s success is a focus on building caring and supportive relationships. Relationship building can occur among adolescents and mentors, their peer groups, families, schools, or their community. Using mentors can be a great way to build positive relationships. The 35 model programs include Dare to Be You, which targets preschoolers ages 2 to 5 and their families, and Philadelphia’s Across Ages program, which pairs older adults ages 59-85 with middle school youth ages 10 to 13. Source of further information