Interactive Drug Prevention

Interactive drug prevention has proved more effective than noninteractive activities. Tobler Research Associates found, as stated in the "Journal of Primary Prevention," that "Interactive programs are more effective at reducing, preventing or delaying adolescent drug use for all substances combined and for each substance individually --- tobacco, alcohol and marijuana." Interactive drug programs are more likely to succeed in early prevention and can be equally effective in rehabilitation. Here are some early interactive techniques you can use to educate your children about the dangers of addiction.

Avoid Straight Lectures

• Avoid lecturing about the dangers of drug abuse. Simply telling someone, especially a child, about the dangers of drug use is not enough. Lecturing sets up an atmosphere that can alienate those who are already using illegal substances or thinking about using them. Lecturing causes many children to disassociate. The key is interaction. Invite questions, to which you will try and provide answers. This involves all parties and produces immediate interaction. Even in adult rehabilitation facilities, straight lectures have minimal impact on addicts. Lectures leave them feeling as if they've been preached to. There is a difference between talking to someone and talking at them.

  Also, avoid handing out pamphlets and relying on your subjects to read about the dangers of drug use. These pamphlets will likely end up in the trash. There's nothing interactive about handing out a booklet and saying, "Read this." Booklets are fine, but go over the content together.

Family Involvement

• Bring families together. Drug addiction tears families apart. Since you can't treat the addict without treating the family, involving an addict's family members in the treatment plan is one of the best interactive prevention methods you can use for stopping and preventing future drug use. Family interaction involves opening lines of communication between the addict and family members and forces the addict to see how his or her illness is affecting the family unit.

Drug Prevention Activities

• Watch movies with your children that depict drug abuse and the consequences that follow. A good one to start with is "Ray," which details Ray Charles' problem with addiction and how it almost destroyed his career. Another one is "Walk the Line," which includes Johnny Cash's addiction problems. (Both of those movies are rated PG-13). It's never too early to allow your children to view the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, just be ready to engage them afterward.

  Another interactive approach to drug prevention, especially where younger children are concerned, is to play board games that are fun and informative. Cafe Prevention offers several board games aimed at early prevention of drug use (see resources).

Encourage Open Communication

• Most important to the early prevention of drug use is to establish an open line of honest communication between you and your children. Assure your children that you are always willing to listen without judging. Let them know they can always come to you with any issue without fear of repercussions, and if they don't feel they can, encourage them to approach a teacher or someone else trustworthy enough to handle the information appropriately.