Prevention of drug addiction

Abstract

Drug addiction adversely affects individual and public health, and generates societal costs that are considerable worldwide. The current chapter reviews the risk factors for drug addiction both at the individual and environmental level, and it briefly describes the burden of disease associated with problematic drug use, particularly among young people. Prevention strategies are reviewed in three categories: universal interventions in which drug supply control policies, psychosocial and educational interventions are directed at the general population; interventions targeting high-risk populations; and brief interventions for those already experiencing problematic drug use. We also provide examples of effective interventions in each category and make recommendations for research and practice based on the available evidence. Finally, a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate approach to prevention is proposed as a promising strategy to integrate effective interventions that target the multiple factors implicated in the development of drug addiction.