INTRODUCTION TO PREVENTION

PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Primary Prevention: designed to be generic in nature and appropriate for a large target population.

Secondary Prevention (Intervention): designed to target individuals who are high risk and engaging in risky behaviors.

Tertiary Prevention (Treatment): intervene to arrest the behavior.

PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL

Agent: is any illegal or legal drug which is psychoactive.

Host: current, former, or potential consumer.

Environment: represents the settings in which the host and/or agent are found.

DEVELOPING INTERVENTIONS IN CONTEXT

Micro level: the focus is on the client’s personality, motivation, affect, biological issues and other personal attributes.

Meso level: the focus is on the radius of significant others (family, friends, work).

Macro level: the focus is on the larger society’s characteristics.

RISK FACTORS

Ecological

… Poverty

… Bad community

… Minority status

Family … AOD problems

… Parental abuse

… Low educational expectations

… Single parent home

Family

… Unemployment or underemployment of parent

… High levels of stress

… Mentally ill parent

… Socially isolated parent

… Family instability (moves, rituals, absenteeism)

… Family violence

… Inadequate parenting

Constitutional vulnerability of the Child

… Less than 2 years between siblings

… Physical handicaps

… Learning disabilities

… Physical or mental health problems

… Birth defects

Early Behavior Problems

… Aggressiveness

… Shyness

… Hyperactivity

… Inability to cope with stress

… Low self-esteem

… Inability to delay gratification

… Cognitive problems

… Difficult temperament

… Hypersensitivity

Negative Adolescent Behavior and Experiences

… Resistance to authority

… Cultural alienation

… Feelings of failure

… Hopelessness

… Use of gateway drugs

… Early unprotected sexual activity

… Lack of self-confidence

… Vulnerability to negative peer pressure

… Rebelliousness and nonconformity

POSITIVE FACTORS

Ecological

… Middle or upper class

… Adequate housing, good neighborhood, low crime

… Good schools, encourages participation and responsibility

… High quality health care

Family

… Adequate family income

… Structured and nurturing family

… Parents promote learning

… Fewer than four children in the family

… Siblings are 2 or more years apart

… Multi-generational support system

… Few chronically stressful life events

… Plenty of attention during first year of life.