Posted: December 2nd, 2022

Substance Use Prevention Programs

Substance Use Prevention Programs

In a 1,000-1,250-word paper, examine at least two substance use prevention programs in the United States.

Refer to the list of useful websites at the end of Chapter 16 to help you successfully complete your paper. Make sure you choose prevention programs and not intervention programs.

Your assignment must include the following for each program:

A description of both programs (who, what, and where), including at least one family-focused treatment model used in the program
The goals of each program (why)
How each program is funded (how)
A discussion regarding the effectiveness of each program including those programs with life skills associated with recovery that are based on research
A description of factors that address community and groups at risk for substance use disorders
An analysis of how government involvement may enhance or hinder each program’s effectiveness
At least four scholarly resources in addition to the textbook in your paper. Out of the four, a minimum of one scholarly resource should be referenced for each prevention program.

Substance Use Prevention Programs
Introduction
Substance use prevention programs are effective in reducing drug abuse. Prevention programs focus on proactive approaches to avoid use or experimentation with different drugs. The essay will examine different substance use prevention programs, including strong African American families, fast track, and drug abuse resistance education. Prevention programs enhance protective factors that reduce the number of children who abuse drugs annually.
Strong African American Families (SAAF)
SAAF is a seven-week program targeting African-American families. The parental training program seeks to enhance relationships between parents and children (Brody et al., 2017). Studies show that poor relationships or dysfunctional families can trigger alcohol and drug use (Brody et al., 2017). SAAF is a family-focused approach since it seeks to strengthen attachments between parents and children.
The goal of SAAF is to enhance parenting practices among African-American families. The prevention program improves parental support and monitoring of children to avert the risk of alcohol and drug abuse (Brody et al., 2017). For example, as children transition from early adolescents to teenagers, they are at risk of drug use. Another goal is to enhance positive racial socialization.
SAAF receives funding from government grants, learning institutions, philanthropists, and research institutions (Knopf, 2018). The diverse sources of funding increase the success rate of the prevention program.
The prevention program is effective since the National Institute of Justice rates the program as a success for its prevention of alcohol and drug use (Kulis et al., 2017). Studies and testimonies indicate that SAAF candidates demonstrate a positive racial identity and fewer conduct problems (Kulis et al., 2017). Other results include a low likelihood to abuse drugs, delayed sexual behavior, and decreased levels of depression.
The program targets children between 10-14 years transitioning from early adolescents to teenagers (Kulis et al., 2017). The group is at a high risk of drug abuse due to curiosity and peer pressure. Students learn how to avoid risky and dangerous behaviors such as drug and substance abuse (Kulis et al., 2017). The program supports parents in enhancing racial pride, protecting their children, guiding them to make good decisions, and staying connected to their children’s daily lives.
Government involvement can improve the coverage of the program and consistent outcomes. For example, government agencies can provide additional funding to enhance the coverage and training of more professionals to engage rural and urban families (Knopf, 2018). Another benefit is the presentation of the program as a national prevention strategy. Government involvement will enhance acceptance among African-American families.
Fast Track
Fast track is a long-term comprehensive prevention program that starts at the kindergarten level. The program’s focus is to help the children from kindergarten to tenth grade to say no to drugs (Sypsa et al., 2017). The fast track uses various strategies, including child tutoring, home visits, parent training groups, and curriculum-based activities.
The fast track’s goal is to utilize a proactive approach to prevent children from engaging in binge drinking and alcohol use (Sypsa et al., 2017). Training the children from the kindergarten level helps them to embrace a critical outlook of drugs. It helps form the basis of decision-making while presented by the temptation of drug use.
The program receives funding from government grants, learning institutions, philanthropists, and research institutions (Knopf, 2018). The institutions provide resources for outreach programs in schools.
The National Institute of Justice has recognized the effectiveness of the program. Studies show that the fast track helps individuals reduce the risk of substance use disorder (Sypsa et al., 2017). Improving childhood competencies provides them the knowledge to say no to drugs since they know their negative impact.
Training the children about the negative effects of drugs Helps them in avoiding drug abuse. Children are exposed to drugs from home or at school. The information will help them to avoid trying the drugs (Sypsa et al., 2017). Children are at risk of dysfunctional families that may trigger depression or drug abuse. Supporting and educating the children eliminates the risk of drug abuse.
Government involvement can improve the effectiveness of the program. Government involvement involves funding the activities to ensure elaborate efforts and activities in learning institutions (Knopf, 2018). Government agencies such as the education department can ensure mandatory fast-track programs for all private and public schools. The involvement will prevent drug abuse and save the lives of children at risk of drug use.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
DARE is a prevention program against drug abuse that uses influence. The program specializes in boosting a child’s refusal skills to resist the social pressure to use drugs (Johnson & Sandberg, 2019). It builds on social competencies among adolescents to delay drug use.
The goal of DARE is to teach effective peer resistance to say no to drugs. The second goal is to build social skills and boost self-esteem related to adolescent drug abuse (Johnson & Sandberg, 2019). Initially, the program would train children or students in fifth and sixth graders to resist the temptation of using drugs from peers.
Government agencies, philanthropic companies, research institutions, and religious groups provide funding for the programs (Knopf, 2018).
DARE is an effective program that helps students to develop strong refusal skills to drug abuse. The program helps students develop a negative attitude towards using drugs (Bonyani et al., 2018). DARE lessons boost self-esteem, which is a major factor among children attempting to use drugs for the first time. Focusing on children in their last year of elementary school improves the results (Bonyani et al., 2018). The children are more receptive to anti-drug messages and are at risk of drug abuse.
Refusal skills and self-esteem are important lessons for students in their last elementary school years (Bonyani et al., 2018). The skills improve the resistance to drugs. It helps students to counter their peers, pressuring them to abuse drugs.
Government involvement can improve the outcomes. For example, the law enforcement agency can participate in the training sessions and provide examples of drug abuse cases. The awareness will help the students to say no to drugs to avoid imprisonment or court fines.
Conclusion
Substance use prevention programs are important in preventing the number of children who start using drugs annually. The goal of SAAF is to create a healthy environment in the family to avert the risk of drug abuse due to dysfunctional families. Fast track trains children from kindergarten to tenth grade to avoid drug abuse. DARE boosts refusal tactics and self-esteem. The three prevention programs are effective since they expose children to the reality of drug abuse and train them to resist the temptation. Studies demonstrate that children who undergo the programs exhibit positive behavior in drug resistance than those who do not undergo the programs.

References
Bonyani, A., Safaeian, L., Chehrazi, M., Etedali, A., Zaghian, M., & Mashhadian, F. (2018). A high school-based education concerning drug abuse prevention. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 7.
Brody, G. H., Gray, J. C., Yu, T., Barton, A. W., Beach, S. R., Galván, A., … & Sweet, L. H. (2017). Protective prevention effects on the association of poverty with brain development. JAMA Pediatrics, 171(1), 46-52.
Johnson, R., & Sandberg, K. A. (2019). Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE): Special Consideration for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. JADARA, 26(2), 7.
Knopf, A. (2018). Appropriations bill signed, funding many SUD programs. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 30(39), 5-6.
Kulis, S. S., Ayers, S. L., & Harthun, M. L. (2017). Substance use prevention for urban American Indian youth: A efficacy trial of the culturally adapted Living in 2 Worlds program. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(1-2), 137-158.
Sypsa, V., Psichogiou, M., Paraskevis, D., Nikolopoulos, G., Tsiara, C., Paraskeva, D., … & Hatzakis, A. (2017). Rapid decline in HIV incidence among persons who inject drugs during a fast-track combination prevention program after an HIV outbreak in Athens. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 215(10), 1496-1505.

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