The Youthful Drug Abuser and Drug Abuse Education — Closing the Credibility Gap

Abstract

Increasing evidence supports the contention that most drug abuse educational efforts are ineffective. Whether at an individual school or at the federal level, marked disappointment prevails concerning the accomplishments of the great majority of such programs. The goal of this report is to briefly summarize the “state of the art” regarding drug abuse education, in its broadest context, with frequent reference to authoritative figures in the field of drug abuse education. Personal decision-making is discussed and certain advantages and hazards presented concerning reliance on youthful attempts to reach independent conclusions regarding drug use. The significance of the mass media in disseminating drug abuse information is pointed out. The five major classes of users and potential users of drugs are presented and seven primary objectives for future drug abuse program development outlined. Authoritative evidence appears to make a case for an unemotional, honest, and informative presentative of drug abuse topics, thus allowing rational youth to deal more effectively with drug abuse issues at an individual level.