What Are the True Benefits of School-Based Drug Prevention Programs

摘要

The purpose of school-based drug prevention programs is to prevent, or at least diminish, children's use of a variety of substances, including licit substances such as alcohol and tobacco as well as illicit ones such as cocaine and marijuana. In fact, most successful school-based drug prevention programs, such as Lifeskills and Project ALERT, are not targeted to specific substances. Which drugs then, in terms of usage, do they affect. Where are the benefits of a drug prevention program realized. Through a reduction in crime related to a contracting cocaine market. Through higher productivity associated with diminished alcohol use. Or through less money spent on health care for smokers. To put the question more provocatively, are school-based drug prevention programs better viewed as a weapon in the war against illegal drug use or as a public health program for decreasing the adverse effects of licit substances.