Programs for Prevention of Substance Abuse

There are millions of people who suffer from problems of drug abuse. There are several rehabilitation centers in South Africa which conduct youth programs to prevent people from getting afflicted by drug abuse problems later in their lives. Substance abuse in the workplace is also a major problem these days. 

Target group of these prevention programs: 

It is best to start taking precaution against drug abuse at the earliest possible age. These programs are based on the principle that pre-school years are the most crucial time to ensure the development of a mentally balanced and healthy personality. These intervention programs make use of puppetry, story-telling and other resourceful tools to educate people from a very young age so that they do not fall into the trap of drug abuse when they grow up. These preventive educational programs are usually targeted to children within the age of five to nine important information about different types of substance abuse are imparted to them in a playful, yet effective and resourceful way. This forms the foundation for these very young children to adopt constructive lifestyles and tackle any kind of negative and toxic influences in their life like peer pressure, temptation of drug and alcohol abuse when they grow up.  

Objectives of the prevention programs: 

The following are the specific aims of these programs: 

• To disseminate basic information about substance abuse. Awareness is imparted to the children about the different types of substance abuse and their perils. 
• To promote self-image and a positive sense of self-esteem. 
• To assist the young children in developing the necessary skills that will help them to not fall prey to any peer pressure and the temptation of drugs and alcohol when they grow up. 
• To motivate the kids to make rational choices and informed decisions so that they can keep away from any adverse influences like alcohol and drug abuse. 
• To motivate children to seek help as in case that they fall prey to such dangerous habits like substance abuse. 
• To impart training to the young kids for capacity building. Volunteers are selected from these  programs to assist and ensure the successful marketing and implementation of these programs. 

Content of the prevention programs 

These programs are usually conducted in a few sessions which have been discussed briefly below: 

Session 1: Feelings 

This session focuses on developing the four basic emotions: happiness, fear, anger and grief. 

Session 2: Self-image 

The focus of this session is to promote a sense of positive and self-esteem in the children. 

Session 3: Peer pressure 

The aim of this session is to teach children about peer pressure, how to not succumb to it and to be responsible for their choices. 

Session 4: Decision-making 

The aim of this session is to help children make responsible decisions and implement them in their lives when they grow up. 

Session 5: Information about drug and alcohol 

In this session the basic information about drugs and alcohol, especially their adverse effects on physical and mental health are disseminated to the children. 

The primary aim of these prevention programs is to ensure that these young children grow up to live a mentally healthy and positive lifestyle.