Module 7

Target young people before they start using

substances; and Discourage or stop those young people who are already experimenting or using

Section I

The YOUth is an agent of Primary Prevention

an ounce of prevention is better than cure Primary prevention is less expensive than cure Primary prevention is the first line of defense Primary prevention can take place in the community The success rate of treatment is low

Information
providing information can increase knowledge

and awareness of the consequences of substance abuse. It can also change values, attitudes and beliefs. Although information alone is not sufficient to prevent use, it is important as it provides the facts.

Skills
Building social and personal/ cognitive skills improve

young peoples abilities to interact socially, clarifies values and improves self- awareness. These skills can be developed through discussions of feelings, values, and perception through role play, participation in group projects and leadership opportunities. Involvement in activities like these can help reduce social influence; motivate young people to resist external pressure; and teach them skills such as decision making, problem solving and goal setting.

Alternative Activities and Youth Groups

Providing interesting recreational activities can

divert the attention of young people away from substance use toward more positive physical and social outlets. The participation of youth groups in the community service projects and awareness campaigns should also be encouraged. Involving them strengthens protective factors and social bonding.

Attachments
Positive attachments can help reinforce protective

factors. Encouraging presence of caring family members, friends, and other adults interested in their wellbeing provides support and role models to young people. Child- parent relationships have been shown to improve when the entire family is involved. Positive peer relationships should also be encouraged. Other positive attachments that could be encouraged are through schools or religion (depending on the local context)

Resources
young people in need should be directed toward

appropriate available resources, such as social services, educational and health facilities.

The family
strengthening parent-child communication can lead

to better reinforcement of prevention work in the home, with parents serving as role models. Parental skills can be strengthened through family skills training, parent support groups, parent peer groups and family counseling.

Local Community
e.g., schools, families, workplaces, churches,

government and the mass media. Local communities can undertake activities that emphasize the prevention of substance use problems, health promotion and community development. Local community action includes setting priorities, making decisions, planning and implementing activities and projects; in order to achieve better health.

Orienting Services
The importance of appropriate referral to health

care centers and workers (for those needing further assistance) must also be stressed. This will ensure the comprehensiveness of the interventions.

In the family In schools In the workplace In the community

Section II

The Red Cross has rigorously followed its core Principle of Neutrality. This is the reason why, today, the Red Cross can work everywhere, in every community, regardless of racial, ideological, religious or political divides. We have another fundamental mission: the one advocating for the most vulnerable people. Neutrality and advocacymeet at the point of alleviating human suffering. This is where the Red Cross finds its unique power of humanity.

In the movement, we care about the 600 million people victims of conflicts and natural disasters every year, which is part of our mission, Principles and Values; however, the second major group of people suffering in the world is the drug users, who are stigmatized, discriminated and isolated from society. Worldwide, their marginalization affects their families, friends and communities and further hampers the civil societys development.

We in the Red Cross, have always said that stigma kills. Indifference and discrimination kill more than the abuse of substances. The suffering is caused as much by the repressive policies as the substances themselves. This suffering does not end with the users only; it affects their immediate families and communities at large. The spread of AIDS is a sad indicator of the broad impact of drugs on our societies.

Definition (International Federation of Red Cross/ Red Crescent, 1999)

is an activity that is

Volunteer Give
time enthusiasm energy commitment

Volunteer Gain
skills friends fun achievement

motivated by the free will of the person, and not by a desire for material or financial gain or by external social, economic or political pressures. is an activity intended to benefit vulnerable people or their communities.

Section III

The youth can be very effective especially when they talk in small groups. Providing information is especially beneficial if young people are involved in the process, both as receivers and providers of information. Peer Education is still the best tool for primary prevention of substance abuse.