Theoretical Orientations in Drug Abuse Prevention Research

Abstract

While there is a world wide recognition that efforts should be primarily directed toward prevention, in no area of drug abuse research is the lack of systematic development of theory more apparent than in the educational strategies toward prevention of substance abuse. This article examines the most prominent theoretical developments in the area of drug education and prevention that have occurred in the past twenty years These developments fall within three distinct theoretical orientations, so-called here: (1) the informative-communicational model; (2) the humanistic model and; (3) the cognitive-behavioral perspectives. For each model, a description of the main preventive strategies and its rationale is presented. Attention is also given to the results of evaluation studies concerning the impact of these strategies on attitudes and drug related behaviors.