NCJ Number
189313
Date Published
2001
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This document provides a listing of principles that can help service providers design and implement substance abuse prevention programs that work.
Abstract
The six principles are individual domain, family domain, peer domain, school domain, community domain, and society/environmental domain. Characteristics and conditions that exist within each domain of activity also function as risk or protective factors that help propel individuals to or safeguard them from substance abuse. As such, each of these domains presents an opportunity for preventive action. Six strategies that prevention programs can use to increase protective factors and reduce the impact of risk factors are information dissemination, preventive education, alternatives to substance-related activities, problem identification and referral, community-based processes, and environmental approaches. Among the risk factors for substance abuse in the individual domain are lack of knowledge about the negative consequences associated with using illegal substances, attitudes favorable toward use and early onset of use. Family domain risk factors include parental and sibling drug use or approval of use, and inconsistent or poor family management practices. The principal risk factors associated with the peer domain are peer use, peer norms favorable toward use, and peer activities conducive to use. Risk factors associated with school domain include lack of commitment to education, lack of attachment to school, and lenient school policies with regard to the use of some substances, such as tobacco. Community risk factors include lack of bonding or attachment to social and community institutions, and lack of community awareness or acknowledgement of substance use problems. Risk factors in the society/environmental domain include norms tolerant of use and abuse, policies enabling use and abuse, and lack of enforcement of laws designed to prevent use and abuse. 2 figures and 134 references.