NCJ Number
176128
Date Published
1998
Length
321 pages
Annotation
This is a progress review of the chapter on substance abuse of the Healthy People national health promotion and disease prevention program
Abstract
The goal of the substance abuse chapter is to reduce substance abuse to protect health, safety and quality of life, especially for the Nation's children. Substance abuse is defined as the problematic consumption or illicit use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and drugs. The chapter includes health status, risk reduction and service objectives, focusing on prevention, with particular emphasis on helping youth move successfully from adolescence into adulthood drug-free. The chapter also addresses the problems of older Americans, including an objective calling for screening of alcohol and other drug use by the elderly and for counseling them on the adverse effects of alcohol and medication interaction. Key objectives include: (1) reducing deaths due to abuse-related motor vehicle crashes, cirrhosis and drug use; (2) reducing drug-related hospital emergency department visits; (3) reducing the treatment gap; (4) reducing the percentage of drowning victims intoxicated at the time of death; and (5) school identification of students at high risk (with behavioral and/or substance abuse problems). Figures, references, tables, notes