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DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION - A HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR DEFINING THE PROBLEM AND DEVISING SOLUTIONS

NCJ Number
69163
Journal
Drug Forum Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 387-397
Author(s)
B SUGARMAN
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE IS GENERALLY AGREED TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND LESS COSTLY APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM THAN EITHER A DEPENDENCE ON CONTROL STRATEGIES OR TREATMENT PROGRAMS AFTER THE FACT.
Abstract
DRUG ABUSE IS FREQUENTLY THE RESULT OF DEFICITS IN THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND DRUG ABUSE IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF BEHAVIOR PATTERNS WITH WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPTS TO FILL AN 'EMOTIONAL VACUUM.' VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DEFICIENT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, AND IT IS ARGUED THAT EFFECTIVE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION MUST INVOLVE THE IMPROVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT. A DISTINCTION IS MADE BETWEEN PRIMARY PREVENTION, SECONDARY PREVENTION (EARLY TREATMENT), AND REHABILITATION. LISTED UNDER THE HEADING OF 'PRIMARY PREVENTION' ARE SEVEN DISTINCT LEVELS OF INTERVENTION ON WHICH THE GOALS OF DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION MAY BE SET. THESE LEVELS OF INTERVENTION ARE (1) PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH OF PUBLIC SCHOOL AGE; (2) FAMILY PROGRAMS WHICH INCLUDE BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN WORKING TOGETHER; (3) PARENT EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY BEFORE PARENTHOOD BEGINS; (4) A COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN WHICH AGE GROUPS ARE INTEGRATED; (5) THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL FRAMEWORK; (6) THE ROLE OF RELIGION GIVING MEANING TO LIVES; AND (7) THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM. TRUE PRIMARY PREVENTION REQUIRES A CLEAR ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM AND PLANNING PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THE LIGHT OF THE LEVELS OUTLINED. PRIMARY PREVENTION INVOLVES INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE WHICH PROMISES A WIDE SPECTRUM OF DESIRABLE RESULTS, OF WHICH REDUCING DRUG ABUSE IS ONLY ONE. THIRTEEN REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)

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