Updated from UNODC Drug Prevention Standards

Introduction

There was a time when drug prevention was limited to printing leaflets to warn young people about the danger of drugs, with little or no resulting behaviour change.

Now, science allows us to tell a different story.

Prevention strategies based on scientific evidence working with families, schools and communities can ensure that children and young people,
especially the most marginalized and poor, grow and stay healthy and safe into adulthood and old age.

For every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs.

These global international standards summarize the currently available scientific evidence, describing interventions and policies that have been found to result in positive prevention outcomes and their characteristics.

Concurrently, the global International Standards identify the major components and features of an effective national drug prevention system.

It is our hope that international standards will guide policymakers worldwide to develop programmes, policies and systems that are a truly effective investment in the future of children, young people, families and communities.

This work builds on and recognizes the work of many other organizations (e.g. EMCDDA, CCSA, CICAD, Mentor, NIDA, WHO), which have previously developed standards and guidelines on various aspects of drug prevention.

Drug Prevention is about the healthy and safe development of children

The primary objective of drug prevention is to help people, particularly but not exclusively young people, to avoid or delay initiation into the use of drugs, or, if they have started already, to avoid developing disorders (e.g. dependence).

The general aim of drug prevention, however, is much broader than this: it is the healthy and safe development of children and youth to realize their talents and potential and become contributing members of their community and society.

Effective drug prevention contributes significantly to the positive engagement of children, young people and adults with their families, schools, workplace and community.

Prevention science in the last 20 years has made enormous advances.

As a result, practitioners in the field and policymakers have a more complete understanding about what makes individuals vulnerable to initiating the use of drugs (“risk factors”) at both the individual and environmental level.

More than a lack of knowledge about drugs and their consequences, the evidence points to the following among the most powerful risk factors: biological processes, personality traits, mental health disorders, family neglect and abuse, poor attachment to school and the community, favourable social norms and conducive environments, and, growing up in marginalized and deprived communities.

Conversely, psychological and emotional well-being, personal and social competence, a strong attachment to caring and effective parents and to schools and communities that are well resourced and organized are all factors that contribute to individuals being less vulnerable (protective factors, recently also referred to as assets) to drug use and other negative behaviours.

It is important to emphasize that these risk factors referenced above are largely out of the control of the individual (nobody chooses to be neglected by his/her parents!) and are linked to many risky behaviours and related health disorders, such as dropping out of school, aggressiveness, delinquency, violence, risky sexual behaviour, depression and suicide.

It should not, therefore, come as a surprise that prevention science demonstrates that many drug prevention interventions and policies also prevent other risky behaviours.

Research indicates that some of the factors that make people vulnerable (or, conversely, resistant) to starting to use drugs, differ according to age.

Science has identified risk and protective factors during infancy, childhood and early adolescence, particularly relating to parenting and attachment to school.

At later stages of the age continuum, schools, workplaces, entertainment venues and media are all settings that may contribute to making individuals more or less vulnerable to drug use and other risky behaviours.

Needless to say, marginalized youth in poor communities with little or no family support and limited access to education in school, are especially at risk.

So are children, individuals and communities torn by war or natural disasters.

In summary, drug prevention is an integral part of a larger effort to ensure children and young people are less vulnerable and more resilient.

Abbreviations used

• UNODC: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime http://www.unodc.org/

• EMCDDA: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction http://www.emcdda.europa.eu

• CCSA: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse http://www.ccsa.ca

• CICAD: Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, at the Organization of the American States http://cicad.oas.org/main/default_eng.asp

• Mentor: Mentor Foundation http://www.mentorfoundation.org

• NIDA: National Institute on Drug Abuse http://www.drugabuse.gov

• WHO: World Health Organization https://safetycatalog.net/childhood-injuries/