Prevention Flashcards
Risk Factors for Substance Misuse (Adolescent and Young Adult)
early initiation of substance use
early and persistent problem behaviour such as emotional distress and aggressiveness
rebelliousness against parental and other authority
favourable attitudes towards substance use
peer substance use
genetic predisposition
family conflict
favourable parental attitudes towards substance use
family history of substance use
academic struggles beginning in elementary school
lack of commitment to education and school attendance
low cost of alcohol in the community
high availability of substances in the community
positive media portrayal of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
low neighbourhood attachment
low socioeconomic status
high degree of transition and mobility
Prevention Initiative Levels
- Primary
- Secondary
- Tertiary
Primary prevention level
occuring before a person begins to use substances. The goal is to prevent or delay the onset of first use.
secondary prevention level
occuring once a person has begun to experiment with drug use. The goal is to prevent more frequent, regular use.
tertiary prevention level
occuring after substance use has become problematic. The goal is to reduce the harm associated with use or, if possible, achieve complete abstinence.
Prevention Programs focus on:
- those who chose to abstain from drug use
- those who chose to postpone drug use
- those already using drugs
- those experiencing difficulties with their current drug use
- those experiencing difficulties with the use of drugs by relatives or friends
- the larger family system
prevention programming:
Three prevention focuses that can be adopted within the risk continuum
(1) universal
(2) selective
(3) indicated or targeted
the risk continuum
no risk: health enhancement
low risk: risk avoidance
at risk: risk reduction - early intervention
intervention required: tx/rehabilitation
INDICATED PREVENTION
- designed to prevent the onset of substance misuse in individuals who are showing early danger
- for those who are already using or involved with psychoactive drugs
- programming is individualized and can include a formal counselling component
- targets injection drug users (IDUs) and teaches them harm-reduction techniques with or without a goal of abstinence
SELECTIVE PREVENTION
- targets subsets of the total population that are deemed to be at risk for substance misuse
- A more intensive approach targets specific subgroups deemed to be at greater risk
- Those with:
academic struggles;
family issues and dysfunction;
issues of poverty;
problematic social environments; and
a family history of substance misuse
UNIVERSAL PREVENTION
- addressing the whole population
- such as all Grade 9 students or all parents of high school students, with the aim of promoting the health of the population or preventing or delaying the onset of substance use
Selective Prevention Programs
Programs have:
- smaller numbers of participants per group
- recipients who are known and who are specifically recruited to participate in the intervention
- longer and more intensive structure
- more intrusive intervention, with a goal of changing existing behaviours in a positive direction
- a higher degree of skill among program leaders and staff
- a greater cost per participant
- a greater likelihood of demonstrating change
prevention program components
- knowledge
- attitudes and value
- skills
prevention program components: KNOWLEDGE
- the concept of abstinence and alternative behaviours to drug use
- definitions of drugs and psychoactive drugs, drug misuse, and drug dependency
- how different contexts and situations influence personal values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour in relation to drug use
- how different drugs can affect a person’s ability to perform tasks
- the impact of media messages on the health behaviour of society
- the importance of self-esteem, self identity, self concept
- the rights and responsibilities of interpersonal relationships
prevention program components: Attitude and Values
- a value stance regarding drug use and the confidence to act on those values
- the significance of the social and cultural influences on beliefs
- empathy and acceptance of a diverse range of people
- individual responsibility for health and universal health protection
- personal beliefs about drugs and their effects on decisions
prevention program components: SKILLS
- the ability to communicate constructively with parents, teachers, and peers
- giving and receiving care in a variety of health-related situations
- setting short- and long-term health goals
- demonstrating conflict, aggression, stress, and time-management skills
- identifying and assessing personal risk and practising universal protection
- developing assertiveness and dealing with influences from others; working effectively with others; and coping with change, loss, and grief
A Prevention Programming Framework
- address protective factors, risk factors, and resiliency
- ensure sufficient program duration and intensity
- use accurate information
- set clear and realistic goals
- monitor and evaluate the project
- addresses sustainability from the beginning
- account for the participant’s stage of psychosocial development
- recognizes youth perceptions of drugs and community’s use of drugs
- involve youth in program design and implementation
- develop credible messages delivered by credible messengers
- combine knowledge and skill development
- use an interactive group process
- provide sufficient attention to teacher/leader qualities and training