Prevent First Time Use and Misuse through Education
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Overview
Prevention is defined as the action of stpping something from happening or arising. Prevention through education can be an effective way to stop drug misuse and substance use disorder, which will reduce the numbers of overdose and fatal overdose witin a community. These are often longer term strategies, especially withn the context of educating young people about the dangers and realites of starting to use substances.
Educational prevention programs can - and should - start at an early age. Society often promotes and glamorizes substance use, and young people are often exposed to substance use within their families and often feel peer pressure from friends who are using substances. These are powerful forces in a young person's life that can be counteracted with effective education programs.
Education and prevention is an important part of helping individuals understand the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The main focus of drug education and prevention is teaching individuals about drug and alcohol abuse. Education can help a person learn how to avoid, stop, or get help for addiction. Effort include those that target parents and provide them wiith the tools needed to educating their children about the dangeers of drug use. Parents are also educated so they are aware of warning signs that their child may already be using. This can lead to an early intervention that often prevents the progression into substance use disorder.
Drug education and prevention for adolescents is typically part of most school curriculums. Adults can also benefit from drug education and prevention and can attend classes, group meetings, and research information online in order to learn more about the topic. Generally, drug education and prevention are important for children, teens, and adults alike. There are countless misconceptions about commonly used legal and illegal substances like alcohol and marijuana. When children become educated about drugs and alcohol early in life, it does prevent future use.
Key Topics and Strategies
References and Related Articles
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Washington, DC: HHS, November 2016.
Hanley Foundation. The Hanley Foundation is a national non-profit with a variety of prevention initiatives.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Good Policy and Practice in Health Education - "Education Sector Responses to use of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs."
