27 Jul 2010
Drug prevention programs for young people are a good investment
The Addiction journal has a short commentary on an Australian paper about school based drug prevention which argues:
Greater investment in prevention and evaluation is warranted across a broad range of areas.We believe that abstinence objectives are compatible with harm reduction policy—when implemented appropriately. To ensure benefit, abstinence-based prevention objectives must be guided by evidence for effectiveness, a caution which applies equally to harm reduction prevention policies.
The paper on which this article comments concluded:
Research has created a progressively better understanding of how to optimize programme effectiveness and what can be achieved realistically by even the most effective programmes. However, further research is required to identify which, if any, particular approach offers greater promise. The effectiveness of harm reduction should be compared with more traditional abstinence and the additional effects of whole of school, parent and community elements need to be measured more accurately. Contemporary social influence prevention programmes are flawed, but the approach is still the best way of influencing drug use behaviour in young people as a whole. Evidence-based refinement is the best option for greater benefit.
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About this blog
This blog tries to pick up relevant media and research stories about drug education. It mainly focuses on information in England as this is the geographical remit for the Drug Education Forum. We welcome comments that are on topic.Categories
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