NCJ Number
195375
Date Published
1998
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This paper presents an overview of youth substance abuse in Vermont and effective programs in the prevention and treatment of youth substance abuse.
Abstract
This paper on the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drugs abuse by the youth in Vermont begins with a statistical review of alcohol and drug abuse nationally and in Vermont. Cigarette smoking by the youth of Vermont was identified as at its’ highest in a decade, as reported from 1987 to 1997. After cigarettes and alcohol, marijuana was the most-used illicit drug among teens. In order to have successful strategies for the prevention of youth substance abuse seven components must be in place and include: (1) opportunities for leadership by youth; (2) active involvement of parents; (3) a K-12 substance abuse prevention curriculum; (4) school policies and school-based services that serve all youth; (5) policies that restrict youth access to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; (6) engagement of the local media; and (7) community-wide engagement. The paper presents an overview of eight effective and five noteworthy programs established in Vermont to combat the use of drugs and alcohol. The effective programs consist of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, Life Skills Training, Life Skills Training Adapted: Culturally Focused Intervention, Project ALERT, Project Northland, Project STAR, Project Success, and Schnike and Tepavac. Common characteristics identified in successful substance abuse prevention programs include: (1) intensive individual attention; (2) a focus on schools; (3) youth have a well-defined role in the program; (4) resistance skills and social skills training; (5) changing perceived norms; (6) provision for training; (7) link to the world of work; and (8) comprehensive, multi-agency, community-wide programs. References