How can we increase the effectiveness of prevention?

As I stated in an earlier post (The Four Pillars Drug Strategy), I believe that prevention is the most effective way to absolve drug addiction. This is probably also the most difficult aspect to implement, as those who have not experienced the consequences of drug addiction often do not know how strong addiction can be, and how it can even affect those who think they are invincible. 

 So how do you convince someone not to do drugs when he or she thinks that it’s not as harmless as it looks?

In our Social Innovation class we’ve been instructed to come up with our own novel solution. The best solution I can think of, is to simply show them. Not only through TV shows, pictures, books, pamphlets, or videos, but actually show them the real thing. I’m talking about taking them to the Downtown Eastside to firsthandedly witness just how harmful drugs are. Currently educators target people early, which I believe is the right approach. People are most easily influenced at younger ages, but it is also the young age that holds many programs back from such a risky approach. Educating the young by exposing them to a risky environment could create controversy; I cannot imagine many parents being happy if they heard that schools began taking their children to the worst streets in Vancouver. However, some people do not believe it until they see it, which I believe is necessary in this situation. This program could increase the safety of this program by incorporating the police force. According to the Four Pillars website, The Vancouver Police Department’s drug policy strategy aims “to reduce crime, fear of crime, and street disorder while protecting the vulnerable and preserving and protecting life.” The VPD often target drug traffickers and producers, not those who are simply minding their own business. If the police force was integrated with this education program, children would be able to attain more awareness while being protected by a public safety force.

An effective education program would incorporate the above, as well as other prevention tactics. The program would also target children who live in low-income families, and connect them with successful entrepreneurs who have once been in the same position. This will give those children some hope and confidence that they too, can overcome poverty in order to succeed in society. I think this aspect is necessary because it shows both sides- what can happen if you do give in to drugs, and what can happen if you run into the other direction.

I think that this idea is different from current programs as many of them are afraid to expose children to dangerous situations. But many aspects of life are dangerous, and we cannot shield them from these dangers and hope at the same time that they will be capable of making the right decision when reality strikes. Yes, there is already education out there trying to convey the same message, but what I think we need to do is just take that extra step to really make sure that children get the point- no matter how strong  and invincible you think you are, addiction is stronger.

It is not about providing more education, but more effective education. By showing children at an early age the reality of addiction, one can hope that it makes them steer far, far away from it.

Advertisement