Abstract
Research indicates that combined psychosocial interventions aiming at reducing or postponing substance use and abuse in schools can be effective. Confronted with a rising number of both young and adult drug users successive geek governments have established an extensive network of prevention centers all over the country end especially in Attica where most citizens live. Our own empirical study –the first of its kind in Greece and with such a large number of both providers and receivers who participated in the research project- has taken a detailed look at both the inner workings of those centers and the actual effects of the psychosocial interventions that aim to reduce substance problems in youth as perceived by both implementers and receivers at school level. Our findings suggest that the majority of the students who participated in the psychosocial interventions expressed the views that they have been taught new coping mechanisms and have enjoyed the whole experience. Proposals are made for the role of policy makers and those involved in planning, implementing and evaluating prevention programs along with the need for more systematic research into methodological issues in the performance stages of substance prevention programs in Greece.
Highlights
Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burden imposed by drug addiction is huge
It is our view that state policy makers and those involved in planning, implementing and evaluating prevention programs should pay more attention to the need for more systematic research in the context of substance use prevention programs
Our research underlines the necessity of school-based interventions and hopes to inspire future interventions to be implemented in all school settings all over the country. It verifies the main findings presented by the international scientific research, that is interactive interventions and prevention approaches based on decision-making sessions and life skills training methods may have positive effects on the majority of students who would participate
Summary
Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burden imposed by drug addiction is huge. Drug abuse is considered to be a very important public health problem all over the world. It is cause of concern for health services, policy makers, prevention workers, criminal justice system, youth workers, teachers, parents. An increased awareness of comorbidity between mental and substance use disorders connects prevention with psychiatry and related disciplines. Emphasis on program evaluation has helped identify cost effective programs and policies. The integration of prevention within healthy life style policies and programs, including interventions at the school, family and community levels, is more likely to produce the desired outcomes [1]
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