Drug prevention is a topic that has been brought up in many different settings, whether it is during a speech in school or through an article. This article will explore drug prevention for teens and adults and present some significant differences between each population.
Drug prevention efforts are often focused on the target age group. An example of this can be seen in the many different drug prevention programs that are aimed at youth and adults. These programs include an annual high school drug prevention and awareness program, a college-level program, and some therapies aimed at adults.
These programs have been able to reduce or remove the use of illicit drugs from their target areas. The greatest difference between teen drug prevention and adult drug prevention can be seen in the way the programs are designed.
Differences Between Teens And Adults Drug Prevention
Structure
The structure of drug prevention programs for adults and teens is very different. For example, the college-level program was designed to be taught through classroom lectures. The presentation of the course takes a lecture-based approach that teachers follow, and the students listen to in class. The high school program is led by a teacher and an assortment of volunteers, often people from the community, such as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and nurses.
This type of program, because a teacher and adults lead it in the community, has the potential to have a much more positive influence on the students and community than a lecture-based program. The high school program has also been seen to be more positive in its effect on adolescents since it is often run at an after-school time, giving teens a chance to relax and interact with adults who are trying to help.
With a college-level program, the participants are mainly adults and do not have the same chance to interact with peers in the same age group, who might be experimenting with drugs themselves.
Specific Topics Covered by Drug Prevention Curriculum for Teens vs Adults
The curriculum for each age group varies as well. The high school program does not include smoking tobacco information as it focuses on illegal drug use and peer pressure.
The college program covers both illegal and legal drugs since most of the people in the program are of drinking age, so they can make their own choices. The high school program focuses on drug prevention, while the college level focuses more on intervention. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, each age group is addressed differently in regards to peer pressure. The high school graduates, who are younger and being pressured by older peers, receive advice about how to avoid or resist peer pressure (Dalton). The college program advice on resisting peer pressure is often ignored since it is aimed toward people of college age, who, at this point in their life, have probably already experienced situations involving peer pressure.
Methods of Instruction
The methods of instruction vary between the two age groups as well. In the high school program, some information is taught in class with discussions and presentations given by teachers and volunteers, but most sessions are held outside the classroom, with most activities being team games and contests.
The college program replaces classroom lectures with individual and group discussions. Students are encouraged to do their own research or come to class prepared with questions and topics they would like to discuss in class. This method is good for students who are uncertain of what type of conversation they would like to have or what questions they might want to be answered.
This can help them feel more comfortable in the classroom and may help prevent some panic attacks that could occur due to social anxiety.
Knowledge of Drugs
The knowledge in terms of drug types and effects of each drug is also different between the two age groups. The high school program mostly covers illicit drugs, although there is some information about prescription drugs and the dangers of mixing these with alcohol, both legal and illegal. However, the college-level program mainly focuses on a subject that most students are facing in their late teens or early twenties, binge drinking.
No information about illicit drugs or prescription drugs is given in this program. In conclusion, drug prevention is different for teens and adults. The structure of the programs is different in regards to how the presentation goes, who teaches it and when it is taught, and what topics are covered. The knowledge about each drug varies as well. If you have any questions about drug prevention, please feel free to contact us at 844-639-8371.