Aims: In most countries, cannabis use rates are highest among young people. Efforts invested in cannabis prevention programmes have had limited success. In part, this may be attributed to a dearth of meaningful discussion in classroom settings on the topic and scarcity of credible resources. Although young people want opportunities to engage in…

People who use illicit drugs often experience stigma that manifests in systemic discrimination, marginalisation and social exclusion. Drug education, which is underpinned by the information model, and often includes fear-based tactics. Eleven focus groups were conducted with sixty-six young people (14-16 years old) in ten schools in Northern…

Background: Considerable attention has been focused on the impact of young people's alcohol use. To address this, schools often implement alcohol and drug education and there are many potential programmes to choose from. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify evidence-based alcohol education programmes for schools. Methods: A systematic…

Drug-related death (DRD) is a major public health problem globally, with rates in Scotland higher than any other UK region and among the highest in Europe. One of the most important public health interventions to emerge aimed at tackling rising DRD rates is the distribution of naloxone, the opioid antagonist, for peer administration. The Scottish…

Background: REBOUND is a novel media-based life skills and risk education programme developed for 14- to 25-year olds in school, university or youth group settings. This paper outlines the programme's rationale, curriculum and implementation. It provides information of relevance to researchers, programme developers and policymakers. Methods/design…

Despite a 50-year interdisciplinary and longitudinal research legacy--showing that nearly 80% of young people considered most "at risk" thrive by midlife--only recently have practitioners/researchers engaged in the explicit, prospective facilitation of "resilience" in educational settings. Here, theory/knowledge distinguishing…

The National Drug Sector Information Service is committed to supporting those who work to prevent or reduce the harm to individuals, families, communities and the nation caused by alcohol and other drugs. This paper describes a project to assist particular members of the alcohol and other drugs sector to improve quality and the transfer of…

Discusses drug abuse, its causes, and educational measures being applied in Spain to deal with the problem. Emphasizes an educational program for students aged 12-14. The program was devised by a multidisciplinary team at the University of Barcelona's Educational Sciences Institute. (JN)

This book is a compilation of drug education and drug abuse prevention materials collected by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) along with example of activities carried out by various countries. It opens with four introductory papers by separate authors: (1) "Prevention of Drug Dependence: A Utopian…

Describes a Spanish language drug and substance abuse education program including development of a student activity book and instructor's manual and a usability evaluation. Traditional value gaming strategies were used. A pilot study in Mexico showed Spanish speaking agencies could use the program conducted by their own staff. (Author/JAC)

Outlines the development of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (DARE), particularly in the United Kingdom, and explores the added value of DARE for children, schools, teachers, and the community. Considers the development of DARE in terms of curriculum review to optimize DARE in accordance with current best practice guidance. (Author/KB)

Describes an interdisciplinary chemically oriented curriculum designed to cope with adolescent drug abuse. The program is designed to be included in high school science and chemistry programs. Results of a field test indicated significant change in participants' knowledge and attitudes about drugs. (RC)

History shows that humankind has always had an appetite for psychoactive substances. Since young people are especially vulnerable to drug abuse, the etiology, epidemiology, and prevention literature on substance use by school-aged children are examined in this booklet. It gives information on, and examples of, preventive approaches and programs in…

Evaluated effectiveness of provincewide chemical abuse prevention education program for elementary grades with 2,092 students and 500 teachers. Found students had high initial knowledge level, certain students showed significant knowledge gains, program was most effective with low knowledge base students, program was in use in 20 percent to 30…

Examines drug-prevention programs in the United Kingdom and the United States which have included parents within their intervention strategies. Reviews implications for practice, describes a small number of model programs, and identifies critical issues for policy and practice regarding identifying, recruiting, and retaining parents within the…