Effective Prevention Programs of Drug Abuse

Abstract

Reason for writing and research problem(s): Empirical studies of drug abuse on a representative sample of high school students in Belgrade show that this behavior manifests itself in three forms: “Only use drugs” (6.4%), “Use drugs and distribute it” (11.27%) and “Only distribute drugs” (2.8%). The total percentage of students who abuse drugs in any of these three modes is 20.5%.

Aims of the paper (scientific and/or social): This percentage was the reason for analyzing a number of drug abuse prevention programs that are being used in the practice of many countries.

Methodology: The applied method was the analysis of the content of specialized electronic databases and those papers that describe prevention programs specifically designed to prevent drug abuse. The greatest attention in the analysis is focused on a) forms of preventive intervention and b) the degree of their effectiveness.

Limitations: Detailed analysis makes possible to identify those interventions that can provide reliable and valid results with high probability. The results of these analyzes, however, cannot be considered generally valid, because these prevention programs have been created and applied in different social conditions.

General Conclusion: The paper particularly insists on the use of preventive interventions that have a high degree of effectiveness. The most important result of the analysis is doubtless evidence that using certain preventive interventions, drug abuse can be reduced to a significantly lower level.

Research/ Paper Validity: Short and understandable guidance on ways in which to implement effective preventive interventions are also an important result of this analysis.