How to Prevent Drug Abuse

.To improve drug prevention efforts, successful prevention programs should:
-Enhance protective factors and reverse risk factors
-Address all forms of drug abuse
-Address the type of drug abuse problem in the local community
-Be tailored to address specific risks specific to a population or audience characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity.

In today’s society, there are a variety of drug abuse prevention programs.  The most successful of these programs include those aimed at family/youth, education, workplace and the community at large.

Family

Family-based prevention programs should enhance family bonding and relationship building within the family unit.  Families should be provided with parenting tips/skills and practice in developing, discussing and enforcing rules on drug abuse.  Families also need to be educated about the variety of drugs available, how they are used and the signs/indicators that their family member may be abusing drugs.

Family bonding is key to preventing drug abuse with youth. Parents need to learn how important it is to spend quality time with their children.  Parents and children also need to learn how to communicate with each other.  Parents need to be involved in every aspect of their child’s life and stay involved. 

In summary:

• Talk with your child.
• Get involved.
• Set Rules
• Be a good role model
• Teach kids to choose friends wisely
• Monitor your child’s activities

School

School officials, teachers, counselors and staff also need to stay educated on the wide variety of drugs available as well as how to determine if a student is using drugs.  School officials, teachers, etc. need to keep in touch with the parents and be vigilant about enforcing school rules with regards to drug/alcohol abuse on and off campus.  A wide variety of educational opportunities should be made available to students of all ages.

Workplace

There are a number of prevention methods currently used in the workplace today.  These methods include:

• Employee Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Programs are available to the employees of participating companies, free of charge.  Employees may contact any of the agencies listed in their EAP pamphlet (provided at the time of hire) and schedule a private, confidential meeting with a mental health provider.  The mental health provider may conduct a drug/alcohol assessment, provide counseling and or recommend a support group or other type of service.  Again, these services are free of charge and are strictly confidential.

• On-site drug testing/employment screening

Requiring mandatory drug testing/employment screening prior to hire is an excellent drug abuse prevention method. 

• Health/Wellness  promotions/initiatives

Employers may offer discounted rates for health clubs, smoking cessation programs, or healthy weight/fitness/nutrition “competitions” where all employees are encouraged to participate in a health/fitness program.  Prizes may be offered to the individual or group of employees that meet or surpass a certain goal.  Promoting healthy living illustrates the negativity of drug abuse and the drug abuse lifestyle.

• Incentive programs

Many companies now offer a monetary reward for positive, healthy living.  For example, one company in Michigan recently offered its employees a monetary reward if they agreed to attend/complete a smoking cessation program.  Those participants who “graduated” from the program received a monetary reward for the completion of their goal and will receive an annual bonus for their continued efforts.

Community

Communities can/should offer a variety of educational programs, seminars and open-forums on drug abuse prevention.  Community-based prevention programs should be long-term with repeated interventions in order to prevent the original prevention goals. These types of programs are most successful when they use a variety of interactive techniques such as peer discussion groups and parent role-playing.  Recent research shows that for each dollar invested in prevention, savings of $10 in treatment for alcohol or other substance abuse can be seen.

Return to Drug Abuse Articles