Future Issues and Promising Directions in the Prevention of Substances Abuse Among Youth (From Childhood and Chemical Abuse: Prevention and Intervention, P 249-278, 1986, Stephanie Griswold-Ezekoye, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-110667)

• NCJ Number: 110676
• Author(s): K L Kumpfer; J Moskowitz; H O Whiteside; M Klitzner
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 30 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA2758-01/02; DA03888-01; AA06282-03
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This final article reviews environmental and public policy approaches to substance abuse prevention not covered in other articles in this collection.

Abstract

A scheme is provided for conceptualizing various approaches to prevention in relation to the Public Health Services prevention model, i.e., the Host/Agent/Environment Triad. Two different philosophies of prevention -- causes versus consequences -- are contrasted. The difficulty in prioritizing prevention approaches is discussed. Seven major areas for future prevention research are listed: (1) etiology of substance abuse, (2) efficacy of prevention programs, (3) awareness of side effects, (4) cost-effectiveness or cost-benefits, (5) clearer definitions of prevention program goals, (6) theory driven prevention and increased use of state-of-the art change technologies, and (7) increased analysis of natural experiments and existing data bases. The future of prevention, based on possible positive and negative changes in society and drug use patterns are discussed, and recommendations are made for the most promising approaches. Illustrations and 77 references. (Author abstract modified)