Resistance Education of drug abuse

Substance misuse and crime have played a large part in the deterioration of most countries' social and economic standing. The majority of the world's youth are victims of opioid trafficking, and the majority of families are also affected. 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 commendable 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, with reference to drug abuse, this discussion outlines drug prevention 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

School-based drug abuse prevention is one of the programs that the system has implemented to help reduce the problem 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). Additionally, the programs fit well in a school environment because the time juveniles spend at school exceeds that spent at home with their families. Therefore, the school-based program is more promising to than any other intervention measure.

These programs aim at enhancing protective factors through the use of learning institutions. 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 associate with their population. Therefore, in making the program's school-based, it focuses on the larger society (Romero, 2008). The move is the best because any learning institution encompasses juveniles from different walks of life. Additionally, they interact freely within the environment. 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

Schools are part of the community setting and incorporate many students from the surrounding neighborhoods. Within any community, cases of drug abuse related issues are very high, and that calls for intervention measures. Therefore, these school-based programs involve the entire community. The older people in the society, drug intervention organizations and teachers within the institutions all take part in these programs. Therefore, the institutions are set up in a way that their curriculum involves drug abuse-related causes. However, these programs are organized in a way that they do not interfere with other activities involved within the learning institution. For instance, in every institution, there consists a team of individuals who oversee the entire drug intervention process (Fisher & Roget, 2009). By focusing on these programs, the society can concentrate on saving the juveniles from the cocoon of drug abuse within the community.

The operation of these organizations involves learning and interaction among the juveniles and the people involved with drug intervention. Some of the people leading these organizations are former addicts who had undergone the recovery process. Through interactive learning, an understanding of the juvenile environment is brought into the light. Afterward, the intervention can access the risks associated with drug abuse within their society. Eventually, they draft sustainable solutions that can help save the younger generations from drugs. 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 drug intervention programs have impacted positively towards reducing drug 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 are able to 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 is school-based programs. Education on the dangers of drug abuse received a major milestone. Digital education has made it easier to enlighten the juveniles on the dangers of drug abuse, For instance, audio visuals are the most used forms of learning in the recent years. 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 reduces. A single video can serve majority of the juvenile population unlike before whereby the large population would mean dividing them into groups.

Technology has facilitated research in medicine. Drugs that are found within neighborhoods have been scanned and their contents documented. More research has promoted finding out the impacts that certain drugs have on people. Moreover, through technology, means to help drug addicts have been devised. Some control measures involving technology are put in place within the communal based programs. They prove to be more effective considering that the addict is not subjected to life threatening situations.

 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). Monitoring the future study reveals that drug use among juveniles increased steadily since nineteen-eighty one and to date, fifty percent of the juvenile population have had a touch one drugs. The numbers have increased tremendously because most parents have little time to look after their children. The social and economic demands are too extreme in that some people find rarely spend time with their children. It is from these forms of neglection that most of them are lured into drugs through peer pressure and other risk factors. All these factors when put together indicate a common trend.

However, the school-based programs might be successful in curbing drug abuse among the juveniles. Because of their interactive nature, most children find it easier to open up regarding what drives them to abuse drugs For instance, through the school based sessions, the majority of the population will easily air issues surrounding their social lives. Statistics indicate that school-based intervention has yielded better results in the past and thus there is hope when it comes to controlling drug abuse among juveniles. Additionally, a series of the previous studies still affirm that school-based intervention is the best approach towards dealing with substance abuse among minors.

 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 community-based drug intervention program 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.

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 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.

Evaluations, Theory, and Innovations, alternatives, and impact

For a program to be implemented effectively, different entities must be considered. Assessing the problem at hand is the first step towards having an effective implementation system. Building a team that is committed to helping solve the problem is also critical. 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 can help formulate a good theory that will make the process more useful. If all these entities are observed and put in place, then there are high chances that the school-based drug intervention program will succeed eventually.

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. Therefore, having alternatives is the only solution towards reducing risks. For instance, incorporating the school-based program with communal ones can help spread the chances of success. Additionally, by doing so, the program will reach to many juveniles as compared to when it would have only been school based (Wilson & Kolander, 2011). Moreover, it gives a provision for the exchange of information between people from different settings thus 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

Drug abuse continues to be the biggest problem that the society is facing. Unfortunately, addressing these issues has received little support from most federal governments, and in situations where support is offered, it is limited. However, community-based organizations and non-profitable ones have played a significant role in the fight against drug abuse. 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

To address the problem, school-based programs is considered a long lasting solution. 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.



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.