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Participatory Handbook for Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Programmes: A Guide for Development and Improvement

NCJ Number
204656
Date Published
October 2002
Length
72 pages
Annotation
Based on a participatory process that involved more than 33 youth drug abuse prevention programs across the world, this handbook draws on the real-life experiences of youth and adults involved in these programs to recommend strategies and actions for preventing juvenile drug abuse.
Abstract
The key concepts that guide the handbook's recommendations are youth participation in the development of programs, the involvement of youth in communicating drug-prevention messages to their peers, and the development of localized programs that are sensitive to the culture and traditions of groups targeted for prevention measures. By using the information presented in this handbook, youth and adults can cooperate in starting, sustaining, and evaluating a juvenile drug abuse prevention program. Instruction is provided on how to collect information about drug problems in the community, how to build partnerships with key sections of the community, and what tools will be most useful in implementing programs under various types of conditions and circumstances. General information is provided on drugs, drug use, and existing program approaches and drug-prevention techniques. Suggestions and samples are provided for workshops, checklists, and format grids that can be used as aids for collecting information. Also, guidance is provided on ways to contact other programs and how to join a drug prevention network. Resources listed encompass Internet addresses, e-mail addresses, and books and other print materials.