A Peer Mediated Approach to Drug Education

Abstract

In the last decade, the use of dangerous drugs and exotic substances for non-medical purposes has become a matter of grave concern to government officials, educators, parents and the public. What had become a problem affecting only inner-city residents suddenly has consequences for all sectors of American society. Drug use became part of the college scene in the 1960s and 1970s and has even spread downward to secondary and junior high school students. In fact, some elementary school children are now using dangerous drugs. The problem confronting adults now is no longer one of having adolescents admit to their intensive drug use, but of the prevention and cure of such addiction. It is very clear that, to date, few if any of the programs designed for prevention and cure have met with consistent success. Therefore, the search continues for means to aid in the design of successful programs. One untapped source being investigated is the active involvement of youth to help youth.2 The positive relationships that are possible between youth to combat drug addiction have been documented.3 As new institutional models emerge, it appears that a peer mediated instruction (PMI/MS) drug prevention program4 is most effective. However, the use of cross-age interaction in the prevention of drug abuse is worthy of further investigation.