Drug prevention programmes in schools: Selecting programme providers

Abstract

Schools are an important venue for implementing drug prevention programmes. School-based programmes have been shown to be an efficacious and cost-effective method of reducing substance use disorders among youth. There exists lack of consensus, however, regarding who makes the most effective programme providers. Drug prevention programmes are led by a wide variety of people, including classroom teachers, mental health professionals and the police. Few studies specifically examine the relative effectiveness of different facilitators and existing results are mixed. This has made it difficult to determine empirically which group makes the most effective programme providers. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to present information that can be used by school officials, educators and policymakers to inform choices regarding who should implement drug prevention programmes in schools. The paper will include a brief introduction to universal classroom-based drug prevention in the USA and an overview of the role of facilitator. A discussion of the practical implications and relative (dis)advantages of using persons from three commonly used provider types (classroom teachers, mental health professionals and the police) is also provided. The paper concludes with a brief summary of programme provider issues in an international context. The information presented in this paper provides important insights for schools as they attempt to select the most appropriate programme providers for their specific communities.

A Summary of Substance Use Programs in a Sample of Ontario Secondary Schools in the Years Surrounding Federal Cannabis Legalization

“…Increasing school prevention programming and including a multifaceted approach by involving schools, communities, and homes may be a beneficial next step. 11,32,33 As evidenced in tobacco prevention, a comprehensive strategy for prevention in schools can be effective. 34,35 Research suggests prevention programs should offer interactive delivery methods, use peer leaders, focus on dealing with social pressure, and add community interventions to strengthen the effects of school-based interventions.…”

“…After ensuring schools first provide a substance use prevention program, a comprehensive and effective strategy is the next necessary step. Increasing school prevention programming and including a multifaceted approach by involving schools, communities, and homes may be a beneficial next step 11,32,33 . As evidenced in tobacco prevention, a comprehensive strategy for prevention in schools can be effective 34,35 .…”

Membentuk spiritual individu menurut hadis untuk pencegahan dadah

“…Pendekatan terbaik dalam memerangi dadah ialah pemerkasaan langkah pencegahan (Rigg & Menendez, 2018) sebagaimana Arip et al (2015) turut menjelaskan bahawa pencegahan merupakan kaedah terbaik dan efektif dalam mengurangkan kos menangani penyalahgunaan dadah. Program pencegahan yang lemah akan menyebabkan peningkatan kadar penagihan dan seterusnya wujud pelbagai permasalahan sosial dan peningkatan kos dalam rawatan pemulihan.…”

Rurality and readiness: Addressing substance use via a community‐level assessment

“…Population size restrictions and a lack of developed prevention workforces in rural communities result in limited evidence‐based programs (National Rural Health Association, 2014). For example, many school‐based prevention programs target urban youths’ needs and are not adapted to rural cultural norms and values (Colby et al., 2013; Rigg & Menendez, 2018). Drug courts are rare in rural communities resulting in greater chances of incarceration and diminished treatment opportunities for residents with substance use disorders (Rigg et al.…”