Drug Abuse Resistance Education

Substance misuse and crime have played a large part in the deterioration of most countries' social and economic standing. The bulk of the world's children are victims of opioid trafficking, and the majority of families are also affected by the disaster. In certain areas, the epidemic has extended to older generations, resulting in dysfunctional households. Many organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, have devised different solutions to the crisis. Their efforts have yielded outstanding results, but there is still more work to be done on the topic. For instance, through several community-based programs, some youth have found comfort and even resolved to enroll in college or pursue their dreams (Smith, 2009). However, most of these programs have not received support which has made the progress to be slow. Therefore, regarding drug abuse, this discussion outlines the DARE substance abuse program and gives explanations the policies that are put in place to ensure that the process is a success.

The economy is the biggest contributor to the problems that most societies face. Lack of finances to facilitate education, unemployment and high rates of crime as an alternative means of livelihood have contributed to the problem of drug abuse in most societies. Juveniles are the most affected population because most of them are in constant contact with the social environment (Gillmor, 2005). Additionally, most of them have found themselves becoming victims of drug abuse because of life-related stress. Ultimately, most of them end up as drug dealers and with this in place, some of them eventually start abusing these drugs. Therefore, it is right to affirm that the status of the society has profoundly contributed to drug addiction.



Historical Background of the Programs

Several drug abuse prevention programs exist in the American society. Most juveniles are school going and come from different backgrounds. Those originating from stressed environments are likely to get involved with drugs. Additionally, peer pressure has played a significant role in most juveniles getting involved with drugs. The process becomes more complicated because most schools are big settings whereby it is difficult to monitor every juvenile (Bogen, 2009). However, these programs in place have exhibited commendable levels of success.

The DARE programs came into existence after a collaboration was drafted between the law enforcement personell and schools. If focused on jeveniles between kindegerten and 10th grade. It aimed at im at enhancing drug abuse protection in learning institutions through eduation and patrols and was overseen by D.A.R.E American. The protective factors are actions that help reduce drug-related risks. In a drug abuse environment, there are risk factors which increase the likelihood of someone getting involved with drugs. Research shows that the younger generations are likely and easily to get involved with drugs and thus many risk factors associated with their population. Therefore, in making the program's school-based, it focuses on the larger society (Romero, 2008). Moreover, the program designed a curriculum that would help juveniles resist involvement with drugs. The programs are incorporated into the curriculum where children undergo learning programs that base of drug abuse (Glynn, Leukefeld, & Ludford, 1983). Additionally, the programs are free and interactive thus promoting the sharing of ideas between the juveniles and the intervention team (McBride, 2016). By giving an ear to these young generations, an understanding of their lifestyle is brought to light.



Organization and Operational Structure

The DARE school-based programs involve the entire community. Parents, law enforcement team, and teachers within the institutions all take part in these program. Therefore, the institutions are set up in a way that their curriculum involves drug abuse-related causes. For instance, the DARE officer delivers the core curricuum to 5th and 6th graders. They have a DARE lesson once everty weeks and it entails several using different techniques like discussions, question and answer among others . Those in kindergarten upto fourth grade are exposed to the program which entails an at most 20 minutes lesson on the basics (Fisher & Roget, 2009). The junior and senior high school program entails lessons on skills and information regarding how the juveniles can resistpeer pressure and make decisions at a personal level. Moreover, the program also covered juveniles with disabilities under the special training package. The program also developed a parent component which was a family based one that encouraged parents to support their children.

The operation of the program involves learning and interaction among the juveniles and the people involved with drug intervention. Through interactive learning, an understanding of the juvenile environment is brought into the light.. Additionally, it makes is easier to directly solve the problem from schools rather than in the community because institutions are central places. Therefore, with such systems in place, the DARE program haS impacted positively towards reducing substance abuse among juveniles in the American society.

Traditional Practices of Drug Intervention

There exist many ways of intervention any drug affected society. The cultural practices and degree of damage are critical towards choosing the best ways to intervene drug abuse. The method of intervention also depends on the target population. For instance, juveniles are likely to receive different treatment as compared to adults in any setting. The method of intervention should be effective and not complicated in nature. Healing from addiction is promising especially when cultural intervention methods are used. However, these practices exhibit a different degree of impact. Culture as an intervention process entails laying emphasis on the dangers of drug abuse through the use of people's way of life. The effectiveness of this method is high because culture cuts across the entire society.

Cultural intervention measures entail the use of people from the particular community of interest. For instance, in a society where drug abuse is on the rise, cultural intervention is likely to involve special people in the society. Religious leaders, recognized members of the society and traditional teachers are paid to play the lead role in the intervention process. For instance, in Canada, drug abuse prevention programs emphasize the use of traditional practices when it comes to solving the problem in the society. They programs exist in a networked way whereby they support each other within the residential areas. Intervention through the cultural way embraces wellness in a sense that is holistic. Moreover, the measures ensure that indigenous wellness is achieved at the end of the day. They can harmonize a person so that the body works effectively unlike modern means which only focus on the body and mind.

Innovations and use of Technology

Technology has played a significant role across all fields in the society. The twentieth century was characterized by advancements in technology which impacted on the society. Drug abuse is one of the areas that has benefited from technology in different ways. From medication to control of abuse, technology has offered significant assistance in the field. Innovations improve the existing technologies making them more user-friendly and reduce their environmental risk. Moreover, they provide better ways through which intervention of drug abuse is done.

With the introduction of technology are school-based programs, the DARE program received a major milestone. Digital education has made it easier to enlighten the juveniles on the dangers of drug abuse, For instance, audiovisuals are used during DARE lessons. Most of them document real life experiences which give the juveniles a scope on the dangers of drug abuse. Additionally, with such technologies in place, the hustle and tussle of involving individuals reduce. A single video can serve the majority of the juvenile population unlike before whereby the large population would mean dividing them into groups.

The DARE program also incorporates lessons regarding technology in their curriculum. For instance, The impacts that media has on the lives of juveniles os one of the lessons taught. The lessons is an interactive ones which allows juveniles to open up regarding the influence that technology has on their impacts. By doing so, the DARE program has a chance to evaluate the extend to wich technology and media impacts on children being grawan towards drug abuse.

Analysis of Data or Critical Examination of Research

Statistics regarding drug and drug abuse show that majority of the juvenile population are affected by drugs. For instance, in a study conducted among 404 juveniles, poor family care and negative self-concept were found to be the leading causes of children who are involved with drugs. Therefore, from the research, it was affirmed that the family is the basic unit that can help reduce drug abuse among juveniles (Ashery, Robertson, & Kumpfer, 2008). However, the DARE program has given hope to the world and currently it’s the largest and most embraced program across the universe.

The number of children exposed to the DARE program continues to increase annually . By 2013, the program was effective in 75% of schools in the United States. Worldwide, atleast 52 countries had embraced the program. Numbers continues to grow annually because of increased funding.Numbers indicate that the over 114 million students are covered by the program in the US and a total of over 200 million world wide. Moreover, over 75% of the population involved in the DARE have affirmed its effectiveness and significance to the American society. However, the program has failed to be effective in some states and cities. For instance, a research carried in Houston indicated a 29% increase in drug abuse among the juvenile.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Curbing drug abuse is not a walk in the park because society is a complicated entity that accommodates people with different expectations. In spite being the best, school-based programs might exhibit several strengths and weaknesses. The situation arises from the fact that satisfying the masses and achieving goals is tough especially when one methodology is applied. Additionally, during the process of implementation, hitches are likely to arise, and that might hinder the entire process. Therefore, an analysis of the DARE reveals several strengths and weaknesses likely to result.

The ability of this program to reach large populations of juveniles is what makes them more suitable. Within a school setting, children of all ages are accommodated with a focus on education. Therefore, incorporating drug abuse lessons into the system becomes very easy as compared to when the programs are initiated in the society back at home. Moreover, it allows structuring of time whereby the activities are conducted at a favorable particular time. Moreover, most learning institutions have embraced technology, and thus, it also becomes very easy to incorporate technology into the programs.

Funding from the government and support from majoriy of the population has made the DARE program create a notion that it is the most effective program as compared to others. Therefore, majority of the human population regard it as a solution towards solving the drug abuse problem among the juveniles.

However, limitations cannot be avoided in any activity. School-based drug intervention and control programs exhibit several limitations. First, the family is the basis that should be used to help solve the situation. It becomes very difficult to help juveniles who come from dysfunctional backgrounds. Additionally, the DARE the program only targets school going juveniles which can make is hard to eliminate drugs in the society because cases of school drop outs on drugs exist. Therefore, from these weaknesses and strengths, it is evident that drug abuse intervention requires diversified programs to curb it fully.

Another major limitation is that the program might not be effective in all states across the US if the governent does not focus on streamlining the basics. It is already eveident in places like Houston whereby the rate of drug abuse has increased despite the DARE program being in place

Evaluations, Theory, and Innovations, Alternatives, and Impact

For a program to be implemented effectively, different entities must be considered. The DARE succeeded in this by choosing to involve the society at all levels.. Therefore, to make school-based drug education program effective, dealing with people within the society and in the education sector will help to make better decisions and approaches towards the issue (Paik, 2006). Additionally, it is an assurance of success because the people involved have an understanding of the entire system. Additionally, relating to previous practices regarding the problem helped formulate a good theory which was put in practice to make the process more useful. Observing all these entities has been instrumental in making the program a success in majority of the states across the US.

Focusing on one system can very tricky for any program. If complications arise or the achievement of goals failed, there are high chances that the entire program will ultimately be unsuccessful some regions. Therefore, having alternatives is the only solution towards reducing risks.For intance, some regions have big problems rooted in the society. For instance, in places like Compton and Watts where most families sell drugs for a living, it is hard for the DARE program to succeed unless alternative means of livelihood are designed. (Wilson & Kolander, 2011). Moreover, the DARE program should give a provision for the exchange of information between people from different settings and that will give it more chances of success.

Assessing impacts should take place through periodic review of the society. Carrying out research on the levels of drug abuse and addiction since the introduction of the program can help determine whether it is a successful move.

Conclusion

The DARE program has received massive support in the US and across the world because of the good policies it had in place. Most of the programs implemented in different neighborhoods are as a result of this organization's efforts. However, despite the efforts in place, juveniles are still at risk when it comes to involvement with drug abuse. The situation arises from the fact that most live in environments where they are exposed to risk factors that expose them to drug abuse. Additionally, the situation is made worse because of the lack of proper channels through which the problem can be addressed. For instance, different regions exhibit diverse characteristics which the DARE program has failed to put into consideration

However, to address the problem, the DARE program considered a long lasting solution. That is evident considering that the government has fully supported the program through funding. Learning institutions accommodate a large population of juveniles. Additionally, it is the only place that people from different backgrounds converge with all of them sharing a common goal. Therefore, there are high chances that implementing drug abuse control programs in such an environment would bring out better outcomes than if other approaches are used. However, several factors have to be considered before choosing this method. First, the people and methodologies involved should be given priority so that better outcomes are attained. By doing is it helps in preventing complications from arising during implementation of the program. By focusing on the factors that lead to juveniles being involved with drug, then it becomes easy to find solutions. However, up to to date, the effectiveness of the DARE program is worth appraisal.



References

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Bogen, D. (2009). Drug Abuse Cases. Juvenile Court Judges Journal, 19(2), 61-62. Retrieved from doi:10.1111/j.1755-6988.1968.tb00348.x

Fisher, G. & Roget, N. (2009). Encyclopedia of substance abuse prevention, treatment, & recovery (1st ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE.

Gilmore, A. (2005). Substance Abuse and Drug Courts: The Role of Social Bonds in Juvenile Drug Courts. Youth Violence And Juvenile Justice, 3(4), 287-315. Retrieved from doi: 10.1177/1541204005278803

Glynn, T., Leukefeld, C., & Ludford, J. (1983). Preventing adolescent drug abuse (1st ed.). Rockville, Md.: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse.

McBride, N. (2016). Intervention research (1st ed.). Singapore: Springer.

Paik, L. (2006). Book Review: Juvenile Drug Courts and Teen Substance Abuse. Criminal Justice Review, 31(4), 397-398. doi:10.1177/0734016806295587

Romero, A. (2008). The academic effectiveness of school-site drug intervention programs (2nd ed.).

Smith, J. (2009). Youth Involvement in Drug Abuse. Juvenile And Family Court Journal, 20(2), 49-52. Retrieved from doi:10.1111/j.1755-6988.1969.tb00439.x

Wilson, R. & Kolander, C. (2011). Drug abuse prevention (1st ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.