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Drug Abuse Prevention Programs

In an attempt to put forth every effort in battling substance abuse, a number of drug abuse prevention programs have been developed. These programs have asserted that adolescents who participated in the programs showed improved results when compared to adolescents that did not. It has been suggested that expanding the reach of drug abuse prevention programs and introducing them to younger children might make them even more effective.

  1. Life Skills Training Program

    • One widely endorsed program is Life Skills Training Program. The program was founded by Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin and it addresses the psychological and social factors that encourage substance use and abuse. The program consists of a number of sequential classes taught in grades 6 through 9. The core focus of these classes is to teach children to refuse to accept peer pressures, to develop self-esteem and confidence, to handle anxiety, and to understand the consequences of making bad choices.

    Project STAR

    • Project STAR (Students Taught Awareness and Resistance) is a complete drug abuse intervention program. As of 2009, there were five separate mechanisms that are taught over a period of 3 to 5 years. Project Star is taught through schools, community organizations, media, and by parents collectively. The focus is on resistance to drug advertisement, prevention, and role model development.

    Stop Under Age Drinking

    • Stop Under Age Drinking is a comprehensive program that combats underage drinking on a federal level. It can be used by parents, community organizations, and educators alike. It teaches adolescents and teens to make better choices when it comes to drinking and taking drugs without feeling guilty or giving in to peer pressure. The students are taught a complete panel of training in resistance skills. The ultimate goal is to equip children with the behavioral and social skills needed to refuse to use drugs. There is further focus on coping with social pressure and modeling. Some research has indicated that when these skills are taught in conjunction with each other they are very effective tools in preventing drug and alcohol use.

    Project Family

    • Project Family is a sequence of organized studies that aims to create positive change within the family unit, encourage and influence parental participation in programs that are family orientated, and prepare for future drug-free years. Some studies involve both parents and adolescents and often have studies that are aimed for Native American populations. It further builds peer resistance toward alcohol use, how to avoid antisocial peers, and how to reduce problem behaviors.

    Guiding Good Choices

    • Guiding Good Choices assists the parents of children between the ages of 9 and 13. This program equips parents so they can defend their children against drug and alcohol abuse. The program boosts defensive dynamics and lowers the danger that is present within families. This program focuses on encouraging parents to be involved, fortify family bonds, lay down understandable expectations for their children's behavior, decrease family conflict, and observe steady family organization.

    Is it Working?

    • The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), indicates that alcohol consumption has fallen for youths 12 to 17 years old. In 2002, 28.8% of youths were engaging in underage drinking, but in 2008 those figures dropped to 26.4%, according to SAMHSA. The same survey further showed that binge drinking from ages 12 to 20 also dropped.

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