Tailoring to Audience 

Prevention strategies that worked for one group individual, may not work for others. Simply copying a program or strategy that has worked does not mean that it is the best program suited for the needs of the individuals you are working with. Strategies need to be tailored to the needs, characteristics, and demographics of the population. By understanding the audience you can produce a more meaningful behaviour change.

Early Intervention

PIB supports the stance that prevention is better than cure as it acts to support individuals in making healthy choices before they adapt to negative habits. Prevention strategies have been proven to be more effective when delivered at critical stages of transition, ideally before substance use begins and when they will be more receptive to the message. Addressing risk and protective factors at a younger age is best, such as when children move from elementary school to junior high school. (Public Safety Canada, 2009)

Comprehensive Approach

Substance abuse is impacted by many factors, taking a holistic approach will aid in decreasing misuse and address the underlying factors that lead to it. Incorporation of aspects such as addressing social influences and normative information have evidently resulted in decreased misuse. Adolescents overestimate the extent to which substance use is normal and need the skills to resist use. (Public Safety Canada, 2009)

Interactive and Creative Approach

Instructive approaches have shown to be less effective than interactive and creative approaches. Programs that simply preach information at you or arouse fear, only emphasising risks, are unlikely to have lasting impact. Participatory programs such as PIB that include aspects such as discussion, application, and action encourage individuals to take control of their choices. (Public Safety Canada, 2009; Griffin & Botvin, 2010)

Sustainment 

Follow-up and continued reinforcement over a longer period of time is essential for sustaining changes in behaviour. Strategies and programs that are effective will incorporate means of ongoing support and reinforcement. This may be seen through application of booster sessions, continued support and continued resource availability. (Public Safety Canada, 2009; Griffin & Botvin, 2010)

Community Involvement and Support

Effective approaches target not only the individual but also the community through engagement and collaboration of many others. Addiction has a community wide effect and should have a community wide effort for prevention. Multiple agencies need to be involved, such as schools, healthcare providers, or law enforcement. (Public Safety Canada, 2009)

Continued Adaptation

Substance use and access is continuously evolving, therefore prevention strategies must follow suit and adapt towards these changes. Re-evaluate periodically, accepting feedback and data to adjust strategies to improve them. Our society is rapidly changing and incorporating means of evaluation aids in remaining effective. (Public Safety Canada, 2009)

Ineffective strategies are ones that tend to lack consideration of factors such as these. Incorporation of all these key elements is not always necessary but the more the better to increase effectiveness. By embracing evidence based practices, tailoring interventions, and fostering collaboration we can increase the potential of prevention and a substance abuse-free future.

The next ARTICLE will discuss how previous information throughout this series can be applied into the context of a parent or teacher dealing with adolescence reaching the age of use. It will take you through some tips and tricks that you as a parent or teacher may benefit from implementing in daily life or the classroom.

References: 

Griffin, K. W., & Botvin, G. J. (2010). Evidence-based interventions for preventing substance use disorders in adolescents. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 19(3), 505–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2010.03.005