For an overall approach to prevention: basic critical considerations

This article pleads for a comprehensive approach to the prevention of drug abuse, one which involves individuals throughout their lives and takes account of their psycho-social characteristics and spiritual values, as well as of differences among individuals. Certain drug abuse prevention programmes are identified as being counterproductive, such as inconsistent and incongruous programmes of the media that glamorize the life of celebrities who are abusing drugs, or drug information material that concurrently publicizes the use of legal drugs. Depersonalized drug education programmes have also proved to be counterproductive. Assistance and rehabilitation programmes for drug dependent persons and programmes for prevention of drug abuse among the young population, particularly children, should be provided simultaneously to avoid being caught up in a "vicious circle of assistance", brought about by disinterest in prevention and unrealistic expectations of society. The emphasis of prevention programmes should be on people rather than on drugs themselves. It is apparent that, up to now, development programmes have not succeeded, as universal remedies, for drug problems in replacing traditional values that ensure the cohesion of society. Any such programmes should be evaluated carefully to determine which aspect of development may be a cause of drug abuse and which prevents it. Recent associations of young people seeking spiritual values and helping drug addicts to stop taking drugs and to be reintegrated into society are among the most promising approaches because they involve young people in helping youngsters of their own age rather than promoting intervention by formal institutions. The family is also one of the promising community resources that can be utilized for the prevention and reduction of drug abuse.