Drug use in the United States has been a concern for a number of years. The history of drug use in America over the last hundred years indicates that this problem is cyclical in nature. When the nation fails to pay attention and guard against it, drug use tends to spread. What we have learned through research is that prevention can work, and that it does have an impact when it is done correctly. The most important lessons we have learned are perception of risk, and perception of societal disapproval are the two things that impact most on the drug using behavior of adolescents.
This means that young people will not take drugs if they perceive that there is some risk (health or legal) in doing so. They will also be less likely to take drugs if they perceive that the society as a whole disapproves of drug use. Therefore, good prevention programs will try to increase the perception of risk and societal disapproval.
Prevention programs should also include skills to resist drugs, strengthen personal commitments against drug use, and increase social competency (communications, peer relationships, self-efficacy, and assertiveness), in conjunction with reinforcement of attitudes against drug use. They should include interactive methods, such as peer discussion groups, rather than just lecture methods alone.
The number one goal of the President's National Drug Control Strategy is to "educate and enable Americas youth to reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco." The youth of America, can be part of this effort. By using some of the information outlined in this publication, and researching more, you can contribute to the goal of making America drug-free.
