Prevention Program: Addressing Adolescent Addiction, PSY-200 Course

This project, prepared by Caitlin Riegel for a PSY-200 course, focuses on developing a prevention program to address adolescent addiction. The project begins by highlighting the prevalence of substance use disorders among adolescents and the need for early intervention. It then explores the risk factors associated with drug addiction, including genetic predisposition, psychological factors, and environmental influences. The project further examines the current impact of addiction on individuals, families, and society, including strained relationships, legal issues, and economic burdens. The core of the project involves outlining a comprehensive prevention plan, including strategies for collaboration, marketing, funding, and measuring success. The marketing plan includes utilizing various channels such as newspaper ads, social media, and school events. The project emphasizes the importance of establishing a baseline, implementing the plan effectively, and continuously monitoring and evaluating its impact through data collection and feedback mechanisms. The project concludes by referencing relevant sources and research.

PREVENTION
PROGRAM Caitlin Riegel PSY-
200

POPULATION &
ADDICTION
• “Addiction is often an adolescent onset illness –
9 out of 10 adults with a substance use disorder
began using before the age of 18” (Facing
Addiction with NCADD, n.d.).
• 40 million Americans ages 12 and older—or
more than 1 in 7 people—abuse or are addicted
to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs. This is more
than the number of Americans with heart
conditions (27 million), diabetes (26 million) or
cancer (19 million). (NCADD, 2015)
• Because of statistics like these, it is absolutely
necessary to find and implement a prevention
plan in order to combat long term health issues
and addiction.
• With the amount of addicts/alcoholics who claim
to have used substances before the age of 18, it
seems the most logical route of prevention
starts with teens.

DRUG
ADDICTION &
IT’S HISTORY
Some risk factors associated with drug
addiction include:
• Genetic predisposition, certain brain
characteristics that create vulnerability to
addiction, psychological factors (stress,
depression, anxiety, eating disorders,
etc.), environmental influences (exposure
to abuse or trauma, history of addiction in
family or peers, etc.), and starting alcohol,
nicotine, or other substances at an early
age (Center on Addiction, 2017).
• Having one or more of these addiction risk
factors does not necessarily mean
someone will become addicted, but it does
mean the odds are greater. The more risk
factors present, the greater the chance
that an individual will develop the disease.

CURRENT
IMPACT
• Family and friend relationships strained or tarnished
• Community trust diminished
• Likelihood to lose employment or be reprimanded for
negative behaviors associated with drug use
• Not enough treatment centers to treat those addicted
• Possibility of legal issues
• Changes in the brain and behavior
• Potential threat to productivity and future education
• Family members often get frustrated when their addicted
loved one won’t get help
• Creates an economic and emotional burden within the family
• Substance use disorders often impact social functioning
creating a disconnect within society
• Marijuana can peak an interest for other substances, leading
to another addiction

CURRENT
IMPACT
CONTINUED

IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
Collaborate, plan,
implement, succeed. Spread the word
Share plan and
knowledge of the
importance of plan
Collaborate
ideas/solutions/needs
Create the most
effective plan for the
need of the
community
Establish funding Effectively market
plan Implement

MARKETING & FUNDING
• Newspaper ads
• Social media
• Flyers
• School newsletters
• Posters
• Letters
• Email
• School events
• Conferences
• Word of mouth/going door to door
• Personal donations
• Government Grants
• Volunteers
• State grants
• Local sponsorships
• School grants

MEASURING
SUCCESS
Calculate Calculate information
Obtain Obtain feedback
Keep Keep daily records
Implemen
t Implement plan
Establish Establish a baseline
View View history

Center on Addiction. 2017. Addiction prevalence. Retrieved from
https://www.centeronaddiction.org/addiction?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cqAxsCN4AIV
moqzCh2JQA2x EAAYASAAEgLK7fD_BwE
Facing Addiction with NCADD. N.d. Preventing addiction. Retrieved from
https://www.facingaddiction.org/resources/preventing-addiction
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. 2015. Alcohol,
drugs, and youth. Retrieved from
https://www.ncadd.org/index.php/about-addiction/underage-issues/alcohol-drugs-
and-youth
National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2003. Preventing drug use among Children and
Adolescents: A research-based guide for parents, educators, and
community leaders. Second edition. Bethesda, MD.
NIDA. (2018, June 25). Marijuana. Retrieved from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research- reports/marijuana on
2019, February 7
The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. (2017). Marijuana. Retrieved
from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana on February 6, 2019.
The U.S. Department of Education. 2012. Programs/Initiatives: archived
information. Retrieved from
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/programs.html
REFERENCES