NCJ Number
81264
Date Published
1980
Length
30 pages
Annotation
The article discusses forms and causes of substance addiction, principles for preventing addiction, and institutions involved in addiction prevention.
Abstract
The major reason for addiction prevention efforts is that addiction is frequently linked with criminal activity. The causes of addiction are complex and include such social factors as the achievement orientation of society, the conflicts of puberty, peer-group influence, and individual socialization problems. Principles of prevention require that individual social circumstances be considered; that all substances, including alcohol, be dealt with; that deterrence through strict laws and informational films is ineffective; that drug information should address emotional as well as factual levels; and that addiction prevention remain an ongoing process. Institutions involved in drug abuse prevention include criminal justice agencies such as the police, courts, and corrections and educational and public welfare organizations. Drug education is pursued in schools and special seminars; recreation facilities permit early recognition of drug problems and prevent direct contact with the drug subculture. Accurate, unsensationalized media information is the best vehicle for public education. Footnotes and one chart are given.