|
|
Prevention
- Saves lives. Over half a million Americans die each year from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) related causes; these deaths are preventable.
- Helps contain the costs of health care and ATOD problems. Preventing problems also keeps taxes and insurance rates from increasing.
- Lowers social costs of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related problems. Over two thirds of all arrests in the United States are alcohol and drug related.
- Reduces fear and concern about ATOD problems. Nearly 40% of parents believe that ATOD are the most worrisome risk for their children.
- Involves everyone. Just as ATOD problems cut across every age, economic, and cultural groups, so do prevention efforts
Prevention strategies include...
- distributing information that increases awareness and knowledge of ATOD use, abuse, and addiction.
- improving individuals ability to make healthy choices.
- offering constructive and healthy drug-free activities.
- helping individuals identify, educate, counsel, and refer youth who have experimented with ATOD.
- encouraging individuals and communities to provide prevention and treatment services more effectively.
- working with elected official to set up or change written and unwritten community standards, codes, and attitudes about ATOD use.
Local prevention services include...
- peer leadership teams.
- prevention services for older adults 55+.
- educational presentations and training.
- teacher training in Utah's school-based curriculum. (Prevention Dimensions)
- community awareness activities.
- foster grandparent program and volunteer services.
- academic assistance and tutoring programs.
- peer programs and support groups.
- parent outreach and teacher consultation.
- parenting classes.
- multi-cultural prevention services.
- living skills development and job training.
- mentoring programs.
- recreational and other drug-free activities.
|
