Needs for Youth Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention in Schools and Communities

• NCJ Number: 181198
• Journal: Journal of Primary Prevention Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 1999 Pages: 93-105
• Author(s): Grace X. Ma; Beatrice Thompson
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 13 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Gang Intelligence Strategy Committee
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A survey of 312 youth prevention specialists, school and community health educators and counselors, and parents in 10 southwestern States gathered information on the emerging needs for prevention and health education among youth and to identify effective approaches for prevention program development and service delivery in schools and communities.

Abstract

The survey instrument included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using SPSS PC. Results indicated that drug abuse and violence are the two most crucial and priority issues in need of comprehensive prevention. Participants stated that drug prevention should focus on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among underage youth; fetal alcohol syndrome; and alcohol-related violence. Participants also indicated that violence and crime prevention should give attention to the problems of gang involvement in violence; hate crimes and related violence; juvenile delinquency and violence; and crime in schools, including vandalism and robbery. Ninety-seven percent of the participants indicated that multiple service delivery approaches were essential to facilitate community prevention efforts. Recommended approaches included training and workshop presentations, technical assistance and/or consultation, conferences and networking, and needs assessment and evaluations. Findings of this needs assessment study also indicated a lack of consistent prevention service delivery systems and the lack of local-involvement decision making processes. Findings also underscored the need for more effective and comprehensive prevention program strategies and the need for multiple prevention approaches and prevention resource materials that are of high quality and are appropriate for various age and cultural groups. Finally, local communities must be involved in the solutions as well as in the development of prevention program strategies. Tables and 12 references (Author abstract modified)