resistance education against drugs

CICAD Meeting with the Universities of the Americas Concerning the Drug Phenomenon Focusing on the Use of Scientific Evidence

Sept. 12-14, 2012

RESISTANCE EDUCATION AGAINST DRUGS

MICHAEL TUCKER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSEJAMAICA

Pearl of Wisdom

“Each new generation of young people must learn why they should not use drugs otherwise their natural curiosity and desires for new experiences will lead a great many of them to use it”

Johnston et.al (1996) Monitoring the Future Study. (p.16).

NCDA READ (c) Initiative 2009

Objective of the presentation

§ An intervention designed to delay drug use among vulnerable Jamaican minors aged 5-7 years old.

§ Intended to enhance the delivery of

§ PEP & HFLE.NCDA READ (c) Initiative 2009

The problem§ The age of initiation of drug use among

Jamaican youth is lowering.§ Various influences in a child’s early years

are strongly associated with drug abuse§ Drug use among minors poses a direct

threat to Jamaica’s achievement of the Millennium Development Goals related to educational attainment, violence and health care


DRUG USE AMONG YOUTH

§WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS TELLING US ?

A v e ra g e A g e o f F ir s t U s e o f A lc o h o l b y G e n d e r

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G re n a d a G u y a n a H a it i J a m a ic a S t . K it ts a n dN e v is

S t. L u c ia S t . V in c e n t &th e

G re n a d in e s

S u r in a m e T r in id a d &T o b a g o

M a le sF e m a le s

A v e ra g e (m e d ia n ) A g e o f F irs t U s e o f M a r i ju a n a b y G e n d e r

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Antigua &

Barb

uda

Barbados

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Haiti

Jamaica

St. Kitts

and Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vince

nt & th

e Gre

nadines

Suriname

Trinidad &

Tobago

M a le sF e m a le s

Jamaica Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2010 (13-15 YRS.)

Prevalence§ 44.4 % of students had ever smoked cigarettes§ 31.3 % currently use any tobacco products§ 20.2% currently smoke cigarettes§ 19.5% currently use other tobacco products.

Jamaica Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2010 (13-15 YRS.)

Prevalence§ 19.7% of non-smokers are likely to start smoking next

year.

N.B.* the Centers for disease control (CDC) & WHO conducted GYTS survey which found that 25% of child smokers started their habit before the age of 10.In addition 250 million children and teenagers alive today will eventually die as a result of their tobacco habit and that 70% of them will be in developing countries.

GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY 2010

§ STUDENTS 13-15 YEARS

§ 52.5% STUDENTS DRANK AT LEAST ONE DRINK CONTAINING ALCOHOL DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS

§ 80.2% HAD THEIR FIRST DRINK OF ALCOHOL BEFORE AGE 14 YEARS

§ 35.3% WERE VERY DRUNK ONE OR MORE TIMES IN THEIR LIVES

§ 79.9% OF STUDENTS WHO EVER USED DRUGS, FIRST USED DRUGS BEFORE AGE 14 .

GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY

§ 23.9% OF STUDENTS HAD ONE OR MORE CIGARETTES DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS

§ 86.3% OF STUDENTS HAD THEIR FIRST CIGARETTE BEFORE AGE 14

§ 69.5% OF STUDENTS HAD PEOPLE SMOKE IN THEIR PRESENCE ONE OR MORE TIMES DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS

Determinants of drug use and abuse

§ Knowledge

§ Skills

§ Beliefs

§ Attitudes

§ Social, cultural and environmental circumstances


Drug use and abuse are learnt behaviours

The resiliency building prescription

§ Strengthen protective factors § Mitigate risk factors

– Change the balance between risk and protective factors so that protective factors outweigh the risks

– Encourage children to make good choices


READ and Social Influence Model

NCDA READ (c) Initiative 2009Evans, 1976McGuire, 1964

READ for Juniors

§ Targeting children 5-7 years old§ Inner city communities§ Schools selected based on location and willingness to

participate§ 20 schools agreed, 18 completed the process§ Teachers asked to select 10 most vulnerable students§ Material developed in concert with teachers and tested

on one school prior to pilot


Activity book developed


Choosing friendsSaying no to drug pushersMedicinesPoisonsFeelingsObeying parentsHealthy activitiesSpot the drugs

How do you feel today?


Other media and sessions§ Role play

§ Videos

§ Singing

§ Rapping

§ Dancing

§ Each student received gifts and certificates

§ Refreshments providedNCDA READ (c) Initiative 2009

READ quiz competition

§ Quiz bank

§ Competition– Quarter finals

– Finals


PILOT RESULTS

“If I take medicine by myself it can hurt me.”

§ 186 students participated

NCDA READ (c) Initiative 2009If I take medicine by myself it can hurt me

“If my friends take drugs should I take drugs too.”


“Children who take drugs do well in school.”


“If my parents take drugs, I will take drugs too”


“ Do you think drugs are bad for your body”


“Do you think children should take drugs.”


“When I stay drug free it makes me happy and healthy.”


RESULTS

§ All children were able to complete the material and questionnaire within the three (3) hour session.

§ The majority responses indicated that the information had been understood


Results :Testimonials

§ “Parents reported that their children have asked them to stop using drugs.”

§ Children keep talking about the experience

§ Reflection poem “Drug Free” written by students


READ 2013/14

§ New project approved§ Will target 500 youngster from 25 Inner –City

schools

§ Selective Prevention Initiative

§ Relevant materials will be developed and delivered

§ Impact evaluated

resistance education against drugs

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