Drug Education: Programmes and Methodology - An Overview of Opportunities for Drug Prevention (EC - UNESCO, 1995, 41 p.): II. The planning process of drug education: Drug abuse assessment

Drug Education: Programmes and Methodology - An Overview of Opportunities for Drug Prevention (EC - UNESCO, 1995, 41 p.)

(introduction...)

Introduction

I. Drug Abuse Prevention Strategies

Supply reduction or demand reduction?

Dilemmas of drug prevention

II. The planning process of drug education

(introduction...)

Drug abuse assessment

Developing prevention goals and objectives

Identification of resources

Determining the content and selecting methods of the prevention programme

Implementation

Evaluation

Programmes, target groups and intermediaries

III. Methods and techniques of drug education

(introduction...)

Drug Education and Mass Media

Principles of Mass Media

Drug Education utilizing group methods and techniques

(introduction...)

Knowledge and drug information model

Affective education model

Social influence model

Life skills model of drug education

IV. Drug Prevention in some European Countries: A Review of Policies and Programmes

(introduction...)

United Kingdom

The Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

V. Effectiveness of Drug Education

(introduction...)

Evaluation of Mass Media Drug Education

Evaluation of Drug Education through Group Methods

VI. Conclusion and suggestions for Model Programmes of Drug Education

Drug abuse assessment

Needs assessment is the part of the planning process that has to reply to the question: "What kind of drug problems does the target group and the educational institution need to address"? The answer is not always obvious, because there may be very different perceptions and definitions of "drug related problems" within a community. However, a complete assessment will try to determine:

- What kind of substances are being used, by whom, in which situations and resulting in what kind of problems (health, social, judicial, criminal etc.)?
- Are selected target groups motivated to change existing consumption practices?
- What skills and strategies are needed to change practices and obstacles that could inhibit the application of such strategies and skills
- What other prevention programmes and aid services already exist to tackle drug problems?

Several needs assessment techniques exist. The preferred methods will depend upon factors, such as time available, funds and other resources. Some examples are:

- case studies;
- social indicators (statistical documentation available in the community);
- service provision surveys;
- key persons studies;
- target population surveys.

Selecting the most appropriate technique requires a balanced consideration of advantages and disadvantages in terms of time, money, staff, reliability of technique, etc.