Adolescent drug use in America is a cause for concern. Drug use among adolescents contributes to deaths, traffic accidents, poor judgment, unsafe sexual behavior and other risky behaviors. According to the authors (2003), “drug prevention programs in schools are a critical element of the antidrug effort, yet only 9% of school districts are using programs whose effectiveness has been demonstrated through rigorous research (p.1830).” The US department of Education set one of the guidelines of its Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act program the implementation of only evidence-based prevention activities. They also labeled 7 drug prevention programs as exemplary, 5 of the programs included a school-based curriculum for middle school students. Project ALERT is one of the most successful evidence-based programs that seek to motivate students against drug use, and provides them with the necessary skills to resist such behavior. The authors suggested that the program’s effectiveness could be improved if it focused on curbing alcohol misuse, involved parents in the prevention program, and implemented a way to help the already enacted smokers. The authors revised the Project ALERT curriculum and conducted a randomized trial in South Dakota schools in urban, small town, and rural areas over the fall of 1997 to spring of 1999. The Project ALERT utilized three theories of behavioral change. The study was based on the social influence model of prevention. Project ALERT used the health belief model, which aimed at cognitive factors that influenced healthy behavior. Secondly, the social learning model, which emphasizes social norms as key components of behavior and lastly the self-efficacy theory of behavior change which focuses on ... ... middle of paper ... ...using drugs; to help them identify and resist pro-drug pressures from parents, peers, the media, and others, and to build resistance self-efficacy, the belief that once can successfully resist pro-drug influences. (p. 1831) The Health Belief Model constructs: perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, cue to action, and self-efficacy were used in the revised Project ALERT curriculum. While, the authors used more than one theory in this paper, they did make good use of the Health Belief Model. Adolescent interviews with parents about their experiences with and responses to peer pressure, and video messages from teenagers speaking about their experiences with smoking and how they quit are cues to action for students to reevaluate using drugs. I would have used this theory if I wanted to conduct a drug prevention program as it seeks to motivate healthy behavior.
The D.A.R.E program offers great information, but it also costs a significant amount of money to run the program each year. The children receiving this anti-drug information, are at a young age and do not understand how severe drugs are and how it can impair a person’s judgment. At age 10, children may obtain a basic understanding of drugs and alcohol at the end of this program, but by the time they reach high school, they will not be able apply what they have learned from the D.A.R.E program.
In my mind, I can clearly remember being a part of D.A.R.E program in 5th grade. I remember that we did myriad of various activities and short performances that would help us say no to drugs, tobacco, and alcohol later on in the future. Then when it was graduation time, we presented little plays to our parents. So, when it becomes to be that time in the future when being pressured I will be able to apply that information I learned your side. So why not take some time to help students of TMS now? Would you want to see our kids go down the wrong path? Well I wouldn’t. With this program’s help, we can teach kids how to live a healthy and a happy life by saying no to peer pressure, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. to the situation I am in, and say no! Since 8th grade is a transitional year it’s even more ethical to have this program, so students can make healthy choices in the high school. You can use your powers of persuasion, to persuade students how dangerous drugs, tobacco, and alcohol really are and that you are risking your health doing it. Once you try it you can become addicted to it, and your life will become apathetical, your dream and goals will no longer be there on your side. Would you want to see our youth go down the wrong path? Well, I sure wouldn’t. With the program’s help we can teach kids how to live a healthy and a happy life without drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, and be confident how to say no to peer pressure!
Ennett, Susan T., et al. "How effective is drug abuse resistance education? A meta-analysis of Project DARE outcome evaluations." American Journal of Public Health 84.9 (1994): 1394-1401.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K., Lewis, F.M. (2002). Health behavior and health education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
The biggest question people ask is if the “war on drugs” was successful. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), “The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.” The best way to measure the effectiveness of the “war on drugs” is to focus on these basic questions; Is drug use down? Is crime down? and Are drugs less available? Since 1988, drug use by individuals ages 12 and over has remained stable according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). The number of individuals reporting any drug use has increased by approximately 7 million and the number of those who reported drug use in previous months or previous years has remained unchanged. The Organization Monitoring the Future studies drug use, access to drugs, and perspectives towards drugs of junior and senior high school students nationwide. Results of a study conducted in 2005 showed a minor decline in substance abuse by older teens, but drug use among eighth graders stopped remained the same. However, the changes were not statistically significant and ultimately there was no reduction in substance abuse among young students. Crime in the United States has decreased significantly since 1993, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. On the other hand,
Robertson, E. B., David, S. L., Rao, S. A., & National Institute on Drug Abuse (2003). Preventing drug use among children and adolescents: A research based guide for parents, educators, and community leaders (2nd ed.). Bethesda, Md: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Drugs cause an overall disturbance in a subjects’ physiological, psychological and emotional health. “At the individual level, drug abuse creates health hazards for the user, affecting the educational and general development of youths in particular” (“Fresh Challenge”). In youth specifically, drug abuse can be triggered by factors such as: a parent’s abusive behavior, poor social skills, family history of alcoholism or substance abuse, the divorce of parents or guardians, poverty, the death of a loved one, or even because they are being bullied at school (“Drugs, brains, and behavior”) .
The drug control policy of the United States has always been a subject of debate. From Prohibition in the early 1930’s to the current debate over the legalization of marijuana, drugs have always been near the top of the government’s agenda. Drug use affects every part of our society. It strains our economy, our healthcare, our criminal justice systems, and it endangers the futures of young people. In order to support a public health approach to drug control, the Obama administration has committed over $10 billion to drug education programs and support for expanding access to drug treatment for addicts (Office). The United States should commit more government resources to protect against illegal use of drugs by youths and provide help for recovering addicts.
The United States government projected $25 million to support schools in school-based drug testing and other drug-free programs. In 2003, many schools across the nation provided their own funding for student drug testing programs. The President wants to increase this program for 2005. He also wants to continue funding for ONDCP. This media campaign sends anti-drug messages to young adults via web sites, functions, and events on drug awareness. This approach will include information for parents and youth to encourage early intervention against drug use in 2005.
The SMART goal of the obesity program is to reduce the obese population in Pitt County by creating a healthier diet program. Different objectives will be needed in order to reach this goal. The first objective is that from July 2016 through December 2016 100 community members will participate in the health department’s health promotion activities. This objective aligns with the reinforcement construct of the Social Cognitive Theory. By repeatedly participating in the activities, the 100 community members will be rewarded with the knowledge they receive and also motivation to change their behavior. By having an enjoyable time, they will be rewarded and want to keep coming back to the activities. The second objective is that following the 6-month duration; the majority of the participants will lose 2-10% of their original body weight by changing to a healthier diet. The reason the participants need to lose 2-10% of their body weight is to either prevent or reduce the chances of gaining other health diseases associated with obesity, including coronary artery disease and Type 2 Diabetes. This objective aligns with the self-efficacy construct. By losing a little bit of body fat, the participants will believe in their ability to lose weight, and continue to do so. The third objective is that on June 17 and June 24, informational brochures will be distributed to the community members to create awareness and reminders to join the obesity program, and gain knowledge about the health condition of obesity. This objective deals with the behavioral capability construct of the Social Cognitive Theory because the participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to change their behavior through the brochures.
High school students are leaders to younger kids and many others in their community. As a leader these student must show others what good character is like, but instead they are destroying their lives by doing drugs. In the past decade the drug use among high school students is on the rise once again. With the internet, their exposure to drugs is much greater. High school students are convinced that they are able to get away with using drugs. These drug addicts soon influence other students into doing the drugs because there isn’t a rule preventing drug use. In order to protect these student’s future, drug tests must be enforced among all students ensuring a safe environment for students to learn successfully. Allowing random drug testing in high schools will shy away students from trying these harmful drugs. The stop of drug use among high school students is crucial because drugs prevents student from learning leading them to dropping out of high school. Students that become overwhelmed by these harmful drugs will ruin their lives forever, but if steered in the right direction they can be saved.
Before being capable of fighting the use of drugs and alchol, one must come to an understanding of why some people use drugs. The decision to ultimately use drugs is influenced mainly in childhood. Whether in a poor ?ghetto? neighborhood, or in a middle-class suburb, all children are vulnerable to the abuse of drugs. Most high-risk children are effected by personal and family circumstances (Falco 51). If a child?s parents are substance abusers, then it is a fairly safe prediction that the child will abuse drugs later in life. Also, early-life experiments with drugs greatly increases the chance of abuse later in life. Academic problems, and rebellious, anti-social behavior in elementary school are also linked to drug problems, in addition to truancy, delinquency, and ear...
Moody, J. (2011). Strengthening prevention program theories strengthening prevention program theories. Society for Prevention Research, 349-360.
It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them.
Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should stay away from drugs because drugs affect our health, lead to academic failure, and jeopardizes safety. Drugs are used from a long period of time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased from late 1960’s and 1970’s. Drugs can quickly takeover our lives. Friends and acquaintance have the greatest influence of using drugs during adolescence.