Publications

Drug Abuse and Addiction: One of America's Most Challenging Public Health Problems
Prevention Can Work

This is Archived Content. This content is available for historical purposes only. It may not reflect the current state of science or language from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Find current research and publications at nida.nih.gov.

 

Preventing Drug Abuse is Our Most Effective Approach to Combating the Nation's Drug Problem

Preventing Drug Abuse book cover

Research has taught us much about what does and does not work in drug abuse prevention at the individual, family, and community levels.

A set of science-based general principles of effective drug abuse prevention has emerged from NIDA-supported research. Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents has come to be known by community leaders throughout the Nation as the “Red Book.” Preventing Drug Abuse is Our Most Effective Approach to Combating the Nation's Drug Problem

Steroids? Not in my game plan.

Results of the Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids (ATLAS) Program

Compared to Controls, Participants Reported:

  • Lower intent to use at 1- year follow-up
  • Lower use of over-the- counter sports supplements at 1-year follow-up
  • Higher levels of self-esteem
  • Greater knowledge of steroid effects

Source: Goldberg et al., 19961

Elementary School Programs that Emphasize Social Development Reduce Risky Sexual Behaviors

Promoting Academic Success, Social Competence, and Bonding to School Can Reduce Risky Behaviors

Image of pregnant female

One intervention that focused on social development led to:

  • Fewer sexual partners
  • More condom use
  • For females, being less likely to have a baby by age 21

Source: Lonczak et al., 2002 2

Youth development programs targeted at elementary school students may have the potential to help youth acquire healthy behaviors that can be sustained across their life spans.

School-Based Prevention Programs Can Reduce Drug Use

Project ALERT Decreases Marijuana Use in Middle School ChildrenProject ALERT Decreases Marijuana Use in Middle School Children graph Source: Ellickson et al., 20033
  • Project ALERT reduced the proportion of new users of cigarettes and marijuana by 19% and 24%, respectively
  • Marijuana initiation rates were 38% lower for ALERT students who had not tried cigarettes or marijuana at the start of the study

Tailoring prevention programs to specific populations is critical.

 

 

Programs for elementary and middle school children should focus on factors such as self-control, emotional awareness, communication, social problem solving, and academic support (especially in reading).

As the Level of Perceived Risk Increases, the Rate of Drug Abuse Drops

12th Graders’ Past Year Marijuana Use vs. Perceived Risk of Occasional Marijuana Use 12th Graders’ Past Year Marijuana Use vs. Perceived Risk of Occasional Marijuana Use graph Source: Johnston et al., 20045

Prevention messages can make a difference. They can convey information to change attitudes about drug use.

Targeted Media Campaigns Can Significantly Impact Public Health Behavior

Picture of teen with basketball
  • One campaign targeted to sensation seeking adolescents resulted in:
    • An estimated 26.7% drop in the use of marijuana
    • Persistent effects after the campaign concluded

Source: Palmgreen et al., 20014