Chapter 10 + Lecture 9 Flashcards
What is the problem with education as the main method of prevention?
- Ignores structural and environmental stresses
- Sole focus is on individual accountability
- Debate about its effectiveness
Educational prevention programs are typically divided into what 3 categories?
- Universal
- Directed towards entire populations
- i.e., all kids in 6th grade
- no focus on the individual
- intended to help build resilience, healthy lifestyles, and reduce risk of using - Selective
- Targeted at higher risk groups based on certain characteristics (i.e., familial, peer background, etc.)
- Longer and more intense programming - Indicated
- Aimed at people already using substances
- Goal: minimize risks without complete abstinence
- May include treatment or be combined with family counselling
What is the most widely evaluated and criticized drug education program?
DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
What are a few problems with drug education in schools?
- No standardized curriculum
- No consistent mandates or regulation
- Little evaluation of effects
When DARE was formally studied in the 1990s researchers found (3 main findings):
- None or very small effects on use
- Short-term effects on attitudes
- All effects disappear within 5 years
When DARE was evaluated in 2009 because of the new curriculum, researchers found (2 main findings):
- Some evidence of influence on beliefs and attitudes
- No evidence of change in use
DARE is based on a _________ model which only focuses on demand without any discussion of structural and environmental issues
police
DARE, like so much of the addiction field, remains focused on only the _______________ without any consideration of the context of drug use
individual
Society’s main drug educators remain ____________ and ____________
police; teachers
What are 3 pros of teachers as drug educators?
- Rapport with students
- Understanding of classroom dynamics
- Have background info on students
What are 2 cons of teachers as drug educators?
- Often lack formal training
- Own views may conflict with abstinence-based messages
What are 4 pros of police officers as drug educators?
- May build relationships between police, children, and schools
- Gives teachers a break
- Doesn’t require teachers to teach something that may feel is misleading or hypocritical
- Avoids potential loss of student respect for teachers
What are 5 cons of police officers as drug educators?
- “Just Say No” and fear arousal is ineffective
- Discussion of harm minimization and use is impossible
- Students unlikely to participate in open discussion
- Lack of connection with students’ own experiences and beliefs
- Confusion about which drugs are harmful
What are the 11 criteria for effective drug education programs?
- Research based
- Developmentally appropriate
- Social resistance skills training
- Normative education
- Comprehensive health education and skills training
- Interactive teaching
- Teacher training and support
- Adequate coverage and follow-up
- Cultural sensitivity
- Family, community, etc., integration
- Evaluation
In 2014 a survey was conducted assessing the percentage of schools offering specific drug and alcohol programming in Ontario. It was found that the largest percentage was associated with…
no education offered
