What is Risk Prevention?
Risk prevention aims at enhancing the factors that will reduce the chances of substance use while at the same time mitigate the factors that increase the likelihood of drug abuse. These programs are important because they address substance use before it becomes substance abuse. As a result these programs allow people to live happier and healthier lives while at the same time saving money which would need to be spent in the future on rehabilitation costs, healthcare costs, or court/ corrections costs.
What factors increase the chances of substance abuse?
- victim of physical or sexual abuse
- witness to physical or sexual abuse
- post traumatic stress disorder
- parental substance abuse , this can lead to increased chances of abuse which in turn can lead to increased dependence on drugs or alcohol
-genetics, addiction can be up to 80% heritable in some cases
- prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol
- temperament- those who posses these traits are more likely to have substance abuse problems later in life:
* seek novelty, short attention span, social withdraw, behavioural dis-inhibition and rigidity
-the brain's sensitivity to drugs and alcohol- some people's brains are more sensitive to certain substances
- substance use early in life
- psychiatric disorders
- low executive functioning skills
- social skill deficits
- low self esteem
- family and peers who are not supportive and model substance abuse
What factors decrease the risk of substance abuse?
- supportive family and peer group
- average- high executive functioning skills
- high self esteem
- problem solving skills
- positive role models
- average- high executive functioning skills
- high self esteem
- problem solving skills
- positive role models
What are the types of risk prevention programs?
There are two types of risk prevention programs, targeted or universal. Targeted programs focus on specific groups in the population, who are thought to be at an elevated risk of substance abuse, where as universal programs are intended to educate everyone in the general public. Both of these frameworks have strengths and weaknesses, which will be discussed below. Research has indicated that the most effective prevention programs include aspects of both the targeted and universal approaches.
Targeted risk prevention programs: Pros and Cons
Targeted programs are useful because they focus on people who are most at risk for developing addictions. The universal prevention programs may be too general and may not reach the audience of people who are immediately at risk for drug addictions. Targeted programs also tend to cost less than the universal prevention programs. This is because the targeted approach only has to reach one audience as opposed to a whole country or community.
Although targeted programs are an essential part of the prevention strategy there are a few problems with this strategy as well. To begin with labelling a specific group as high risk may lead to this group feeling stigmatized and as a result some people in this group may feel as though their only option is to become a substance user, ie- a self fulfilling prophesy. The other problem with this approach is that it targets the high risk population, although there are general risk factors it is very difficult to determine which groups are more at risk than others. This ambiguity may lead to problems when trying to decide which group needs more resources.
Although targeted programs are an essential part of the prevention strategy there are a few problems with this strategy as well. To begin with labelling a specific group as high risk may lead to this group feeling stigmatized and as a result some people in this group may feel as though their only option is to become a substance user, ie- a self fulfilling prophesy. The other problem with this approach is that it targets the high risk population, although there are general risk factors it is very difficult to determine which groups are more at risk than others. This ambiguity may lead to problems when trying to decide which group needs more resources.
Universal prevention programs: Pros and Cons
Universal prevention programs are vital for reducing drug use because they educate many groups of people, some of these groups may not have had much knowledge of drug abuse to begin with. Another reason why universal programs are popular is because they do not single one group out as more high risk than others, therefore self fulfilling prophesies are not a problem.
Although universal programs have positive aspects there is one negative aspect, the cost. It is much more expensive to run a universal prevention program than a targeted programs because you need to reach a larger audience, this process can take much more time and resources.
For example: the Drugs Not for Me Campaign
http://www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca/prevention/youth-jeunes/index.html
Although universal programs have positive aspects there is one negative aspect, the cost. It is much more expensive to run a universal prevention program than a targeted programs because you need to reach a larger audience, this process can take much more time and resources.
For example: the Drugs Not for Me Campaign
http://www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca/prevention/youth-jeunes/index.html
Are these programs effective ?
Research has shown that social influence interventions have been quite effective in preventing substance abuse. This is a targeted approach that provides youth with information regarding substance use and training so that they are able to abstain from drug use, information regarding harm reduction and decision making skills are also valuable. Family training is also an effective tool to increase the success of harm reduction programs. The type of program that is not effective would be ones focused exclusively on drug information, that will not deter substance abuse if used alone.