Forum: Close to Home
Topic: What elements are important in a prevention program?
Topic Posted by: Close To HomeDate Posted: Wed Mar 18 15:22:22 1998
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Posted by: Donna Boundy (dboundy837@aol.com )
Date posted: Tue Mar 24 21:41:21 1998
Subject: Prevention programs
Message:
First, I have to say I don't think "Prevention programs" are a panacea. So much has to go on in our families and culture in order to provide kids with a better sense of self-esteem, less of a compulsive need for acceptance, sense of meaning in their lives, belonging, etc. etc. But having said that, I think that school-based prevention programs need first of all to focus less on conveying the details of different drugs, what they look like, etc. and much more on teaching social skills, like the skill of refusing an offer and still feeling OK about yourself and still feeling connected to your friends; the skill of setting goals in life, making decisions, etc. Second, I think prevention progams can't be one-shot deals, or rest on glib one-liners like "Just Say No." The problem of drug abuse and addiction is so much more complex than that and to imply that it is that simple undermines true education. Third, I think schools need to involve more people than just the soccer-moms in their PTAs, school functions, etc. I have no easy answers about how to do that, but it is my observation that for the most part, those groups attract the same people over and over. Perhaps they could hold events that appeal to a wider group, convey openness toward non-traditional and diverse families, including single moms so it doesn't feel like such an "inside club." That's all I'll say for now. What else can we think of???