NCJ Number
117308
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (1986) Pages: 327-339
Date Published
1986
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the recommendation of a 1984 Rand Corporation report that the most effective way to prevent adolescent drug abuse is through preventive education.
Abstract
The report is reviewed within the context of theories related to the causes of drug abuse integrated with the PRECEDE model of health education program planning. The PRECEDE model includes three categories of factors that can influence whether individuals adopt and practice positive health behaviors; predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors. Predisposing factors include knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, and selected demographic variables. Enabling factors include availability and accessibility of health resources, community commitment to health and health related skills. Reinforcing factors include family, peers, teachers, and health providers. For any individual or institution to be responsible for influencing or changing actions of others, it is reasonable to assume that the individual or institution should have authority over the variables that influence or control those actions. It is concluded that many of the variables which influence adolescents to begin use of psychoactive substances are not within the purview of schools. Therefore, the Rand recommendation should only be accepted if three conditions are met: (1) there should be a consistent governmental policy toward drug education including funding for curriculum development, teacher training, implementation, evaluation and maintenance; (2) there should be special educational intervention programs for high risk children; and (3) specific strategies should be developed and implemented to elicit active support from social institutions besides schools. 28 references. (Author abstract modified)