Substance Abuse Prevention Paper

Adolescent substance abuse prevention programs are generally idealistic, intuitive and driven by theory and data (e.g. data that provides findings on risk and protective factors). Assuming that I am awarded fifty thousand dollars annually for three years, I would construct a substance abuse prevention program for youth ages 10-14 (i.e. middle school youth). This prevention program would serve youth residing in an urban community where schools may be lacking support. It has been stated that “zero-tolerance policies” often rebuff youth rather than support them (Inaba and Cohen, 2011, p. 8.31). Inaba and Cohen (2011) also explain that surveys are typically inaccurate or misleading because high school and college students tend to minimize or omit information regarding their use of drugs (p. 8.28). A prevention program that pivots the younger population may be more beneficial. Since youth have difficulty dealing with conflicting situations, they resort to “psychoactive substance” (Inaba and Cohen, 2011, p. 8.31).

Prevention principles can help guide program staff toward more realistic and valuable ways of thinking, structuring, planning, and conveyance of this substance abuse prevention program at the community level. Primary prevention, as explained by Inaba and Cohen (2011), helps “prevent or at least minimize drug experimentation and use beginning as early as kindergarten” (p. 8.31). A community based program in an urban community with high rates of substance abuse can help reduce rates of children following along those footsteps. Research is important and money from funding would be spent on research to ensure that the treated population is benefiting from this program. Inaba and Cohen (2011) reports that although rates have lowered since 1974, about 41% of high school seniors are consuming alcohol while 21% use Marijuana (p.