NCJ Number
194256
Date Published
2000
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This report presents the conclusions and recommendations from a 2000 symposium that involved 40 distinguished researchers and leaders who met to discuss advances in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems in the United States.
Abstract
One recommendation is to blend school-based and community prevention efforts to achieve environmental change. Such community-wide approaches involve broad participation of all sectors in the development of prevention efforts. A second recommendation is to link prevention programs with the primary mission of schools. Prevention efforts at schools should be more fully integrated with academic curricula. A third recommendation is that prevention resource systems be integrated to support prevention efforts. An integrated approach that crosses disciplines and agencies would maximize available resources. A less categorical approach to prevention is required to address common risk factors. A fourth recommendation is to forge agreement on what is to be prevented as a foundation for program design. Standards for definitions and terms across prevention disciplines must be developed in order to avoid contributing to confusion in those looking for guidance. Other recommendations are to use new technologies to support prevention; increase funding, training, and support for prevention researchers and practitioners; and learn what practitioners, including teachers, are doing at the local level. Three background papers presented in this report address the processes used by States and schools to select, implement, and evaluate substance-abuse prevention; drug-abuse-prevention research in the United States and the challenge of moving effective programs from the "laboratory" to the community; and the identification of effective school-based substance-abuse-prevention interventions. Symposium panel presentations and dialog are also included. 4 prevention resources are listed