NCJ Number
207400
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 73-83
Date Published
September 2004
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the benefits of conducting qualitative epidemiologic studies to improve upon substance abuse prevention programming, particularly those targeting adolescents.
Abstract
Substance abuse is both a highly dynamic and highly local phenomenon. As such, substance abuse prevention programming should also be highly localized and flexible; in practice, this fact is often overlooked. This type of approach to programming requires locally specific knowledge about substance abuse trends and issues. This article presents the qualitative epidemiologic methods used by the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring (OSAM) Network as a model to be used to inform local substance abuse prevention programming. The OSAM Network offers qualitatively-oriented epidemiologic descriptions of the substance abuse trends and issues in Ohio. The use of qualitative epidemiologic methods lends strength to the OSAM Network data as it provides insights into local knowledge of drug-using behavior that is generally not accessible via survey methodologies. Qualitative methodologies are also sensitive to emerging social issues, such as emerging drug problems, before they become problematic and are financially feasible to conduct. An example is provided for the application of the OSAM Network qualitative methods to a local needs assessment for the improvement of substance abuse treatment programming. The OSAM Network offers training and technical assistance on qualitative methods. References, note