Prevention of Drug Use and Harm

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Questions and Answers

What is the most effective approach to preventing adolescent substance abuse?

Home visits to high-risk mothers alone

A combination of parent education programs and home visits (correct)

Regulation of price and availability of tobacco to young people alone

Parent education programs alone

What type of education programs are more effective in preventing adolescent substance abuse?

Passive, lecture-based education programs

Interactive, time-intensive programs led by students (correct)

Online education programs

Interactive, time-intensive programs led by teachers

What is the key factor in the effectiveness of classroom-based education programs?

The age of the students

The qualifications of the teacher

The use of interactive elements such as role-play, discussion, and games (correct)

The length of the program

What is the goal of regulation of price and availability of tobacco to young people?

To reduce the overall consumption of tobacco Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of prohibition in preventing illicit drug use?

It is not effective in reducing drug use among current users Signup and view all the answers

What is the key factor in the effectiveness of health promotion campaigns targeted at reducing risky single occasion drinking (RSOD)?

The development of targeted and population-relevant strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to health promotion campaigns aimed at reducing RSOD?

A comprehensive approach that includes multiple components Signup and view all the answers

What has been the impact of international changes to Cannabis laws on drug use?

No significant impact on drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of prevention in the context of drug use?

To prevent or delay the onset of drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of primary level prevention strategies?

Preventing initial drug use Signup and view all the answers

What is the target of universal prevention strategies?

Whole populations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of prevention in terms of timing for intervention?

Intervening as early as possible in the developmental pathway Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of tertiary level prevention strategies?

Reducing use or potential harms among regular users Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of prevention strategies in terms of goals and purposes?

Targeting attitudes, knowledge, expectancies, and behaviours associated with drug use risks Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of indicated prevention strategies?

Targeting individuals with detectable symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is a specific risk factor that prevention strategies may target?

Peer influences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prevention of Drug Use

Prevention refers to measures that prevent or delay the onset of drug use, as well as measures that protect against risk and reduce harm associated with drug supply and use.

What Are We Trying to Prevent?

Drug use, or at least delay its initiation
Harm associated with drug use, including:
- Route of administration risks
- Overdose/excessive use risks
- Avoidance of help seeking due to legal concerns
- Risks of associated problems (e.g. accidents)
- Harm to others (e.g. laws prohibiting smoking in public places)

Prevention Strategies

Prevention levels:
- Primary level: prevent initial drug use (e.g. supply reduction methods, education on harms to developing body, school-based and parent education programs)
- Secondary level: prevent harm (e.g. education on risks of addiction, advice on route of administration options)
- Tertiary level: reduce harm (e.g. needle and syringe programs (NSPs), controlled drinking, drink driving campaigns)
Prevention targets:
- Universal: targeting whole populations (e.g. national campaigns, advertising programs)
- Selective: targeting subgroups with above-average risk (e.g. school-based programs, alcohol-free communities)
- Indicated: targeting individuals with detectable symptoms (e.g. counseling, advice lines, educational pamphlets)

Clarifying Prevention Objectives

Timing for intervention: as early as possible in the developmental pathway
Goals and purposes: targeting attitudes, knowledge, expectancies, and behaviors associated with drug use (risks)
Specific risk factors: targeting specific risk factors such as peer influences and educational involvement
Combination approach: the best approach involves a combination of factors

Research Support for Prevention

Adolescent interventions:
- Support for classroom-based education programs
- More effective if interactive, time-intensive, and led by students
- Life skills training programs and family-based interventions
- Support for regulation of price and availability of tobacco to young people
- Lack of support for effectiveness of alcopop price increases
Interactive programs (e.g. role-play, discussion, games) are a key factor in effectiveness
"Peer" needs to be carefully chosen and supported

Examples of Interventions

Parent education programs and family interventions (e.g. Triple P)
Home visits to high-risk mothers from before birth to age 2 years

Australian Public Service (APS) and Binge Drinking Campaign

APS: "While the 'alcopop' tax is an example of a targeted measure aimed at reducing the attraction of young people into an alcohol-soaked culture, such legislation—by itself—will not change Australia's drinking culture."
Binge drinking campaign (2009): Risky single occasion drinking (RSOD) needs targeted and population-relevant strategies to reach those most vulnerable to the risks associated with frequent RSOD

Universal Interventions for Illicit Drug Use

Diversion programs
Prohibition: may reduce drug use among non-users (primary), but not much evidence it affects current users

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of prevention measures aimed at delaying or preventing drug use, as well as reducing harm associated with drug supply and use. Topics covered include risks of drug use, overdose, and avoidance of help seeking.