Prevention programs for drugs

For example, a discussion of the actual effects of alcohol versus what teens perceive helps teens make the decision not to drink and helps to prevent underage drinking.

The effects of these alcohol and drug prevention programs prove that education is empowering. Our efforts have helped raise the age of first use within Palm Beach County from 10 years old in the year to 13 years old in We expanded our programming to encompass older adults in Though this newest approach is more age-specific than the one used with youth, it is equally effective. The goal over the next 3 to 5 years is to expand programming to all remaining counties, which currently lack research-driven and best evidence-based programming within their communities.

The expansion will also extend to schools within the current 15 counties that currently do not have any programming. Note: On its own, drug information is not an effective deterrent. Combining this information with methods, skills, and services produces more significant results. Methods aim to drive change and may include actions like establishing and enforcing drug use rules in schools, at home, and within the community.

Services include school counseling and assistance, family therapy, and healthcare. Parental supervision and monitoring may be supported through training on how to set rules, methods for monitoring children, positive reinforcement, and moderate but consistent discipline that reinforces family rules. The selection process involves communities attempting to match effective research-driven programs to their needs.

This is often achieved through a structured review of existing programs to determine gaps. This information can then be included in the community plan that guides new program selection. You can overcome any struggle — including your substance abuse problem - if you have the right help from qualified professionals. Give yourself the freedom of recovery by turning things around today.

Despite the widely-recognized failure of early substance use interventions like DARE, these programs are effective — provided they are driven by evidence-based practices.

These evidence-based programs are delivered to students at the first-grade level to deter later onset of aggressive behavior, violence, and substance use disorders. They are also used to improve academic performance. The Caring school community initiative works to address risk and protective factors among elementary school children. It is designed for both family and school settings. LST is designed for middle school students. It aims to address various protective and risk factors by educating students on general personal and social skills, along with drug resistance methodologies.

The program has since been expanded to cover elementary and high school students. The elementary school version introduces students to life skills training , while the high school program aims to reinforce the gains attained in middle school.

Formerly known as Preparing for the Drug-Free Years , this evidence-based prevention program is designed to equip parents with the knowledge and skills to reduce risk factors and strengthen family bonds. Parents learn family interaction and involvement skills, how to set clear expectations, behavioral evaluation, maintaining discipline, and other bonding approaches.

SFA is a universally available commercial life skills education program for middle school students. It focuses on imparting skills that improve personal responsibility and mental health, decision-making, communication, asserting rights, and resisting social influences. The program also educates learners on drug use and its consequences. Project Star is a community-based drug use prevention initiative designed for parents, schools, the media, community organizations, and health policymakers.

The school aspect of this program targets social influence and is incorporated into classroom sessions by trained teachers over a two-year period. The parent aspect teaches family communication skills and introduces them to community action. The Strengthening Families Program SFP is a drug use intervention focused on providing evidence-based family skills training for the general population and high-risk families. Operation Prevention's mission is to educate students about the true impacts of opioids and kick-start lifesaving conversations in the home and classroom.

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