Substance Abuse Prevention
What is "science-based prevention"?
Prevention strategies that have been rigorously evaluated and shown to be effective. Important components of science-based prevention are using multiple strategies in multiple settings, and addressing risk and protective factors in multiple domains. “Science-based prevention” applies evidence from rigorous evaluation research on prevention practices and follows a process of strategic planning that focuses on integrating thoughtful assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation into every program.” (CSAP’s Northeast CAPT, Prevention: What’s Science Got to do with It?, 2001) According to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), science based prevention is defined in the following way: “Science-based prevention” is an approach to making change. It is guided by several theories of change:
- Individual change theories, including theories of addiction, risk and resiliency
- Intra and inter-organizational change theories
- Community change theories, including community organizing, policy change, and public health theories
What are "risk and protective factors"?
Individual characteristics or social environments that are associated with
an increased likelihood of substance use are known as risk factors. Those
that are related to a decreased likelihood of substance use or of nonuse are
known as protective factors. Research has identified five primary targets
for prevention intervention (domains).
1. Individual: biological and psychological disposition, attitudes, values,
knowledge, skills, problem behaviors
2. Peer: norms, activities
3. Family: function, management, bonding
4. School: bonding, climate, policy, and performance
5. Community/society: bonding, norms, resources, aware/mobilization, policy/sanctions
What are "environmental strategies"?
An environmental strategy attempts to change the community environment in ways that make it less supportive of substance abuse. Focus on the larger environment, rather than individuals, is grounded in the belief that much human behavior is socially determined. Furthermore, in this era of financial constraints, environmental strategies may simply be more cost-effective because they are able to reach many people at the same time. Examples of environmental strategies include changes in community or institutional policy and enforcement practices and/or altering community norms surrounding alcohol and other drug use.
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