Substance abuse prevention: competence enhancement and the development of positive life options.
Recent advances in the field of substance abuse prevention have derived from a consideration of the etiology of substance use and have also been solidly grounded in psychological theory. Evaluation studies of psychosocial prevention interventions have become increasingly rigorous, and clearly demonstrate that there are effective approaches to prevention. The Life Skills Training Program is an example of a competence enhancement approach to substance abuse prevention. While research with this approach demonstrates its effectiveness at reducing substance use behavior, experience working with disadvantaged youth suggests the need to broaden the concept of competence enhancement. Specifically, recommendations are made for formalizing the concept of positive life options as a potentially important component of substance abuse prevention.
Dusenbury
L
L
Department of Public Health, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021.
Botvin
G J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000592:standards; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy