Highlight the approaches used to discourage drug abuse in educational institutions according to Cohen (1996).

a) The Shock/Scare Approach:
This approach is exemplified by hard hitting anti-drug video shows, talks against drug abuse by ex-drug addicts or government officials and TV and billboard campaigns...that focus on the horrors of drug use. There are also visits by resource persons to schools and rehabilitation centres to give talks on the dangers of drug abuse. The talks are backed by visual aids such as photographs and film shows and real life experiences of former addicts. The aim of this exposure is to scare recipients off drugs. It is hoped that fear will result in avoidance of drugs. However, some evaluations show that shock/scare approaches may sometimes glamorize and legitimize drug use among students. Some may regard abusers as "heroic."

b) The Information Approach
in this approach, students are given 'facts1 about drugs (especially their dangers) on the assumption that if they know the 'facts', they will not use drugs. In Kenya, NACADA has held many open forums and workshops to sensitize youths and students on the dangers of drug abuse. Information is given about why people take drugs, the effect of drug abuse, identifying abusers and how to avoid drug abuse.

c) The Attitudes/Values Approach:
This approach aims to promote a 'drug free lifestyle'. 'Personal responsibility' and 'strong moral beliefs' are encouraged as weapons in avoiding drug abuse. Many schools which are based on religious principles emphasize the Attitudes/Values Approach.

d) The Refusal Skills Approach:
Here, students are regarded as easy prey to peer pressure and in need of skills to 'Say No to Drugs1. Billboards, advertisements and demonstrations are held with slogans that emphasize an individual's responsibility in rejecting and refusing involvement in drug abuse.

d) The Decision Making Skills Approach:
This approach assumes that students lack the generic skills to make rational choices and that if they had these skills, they would not use drugs. Emphasis is on skills that can help students avoid drugs. Such skills include wise selection of the company one keeps and being able to identify and avoid associations that can influence one to abuse drugs.

J) The Alternative Approach:
In this approach, an attempt is made to replace the excitement of drug use with other forms of risky activities such as rugby, swimming and mountain climbing. The assumption is that when students get involved in difficult activities, the appeal of drugs is minimized. This approach associates drug abuse with the search for identity, appreciation and recognition. Students are helped to get recognition through positive activities.

g) The Self-Esteem Approach:
This approach focuses on the individual rather than drugs per se. It is assumed that young people of high self-esteem will not use drugs. Actions that boost students' self-esteem are encouraged.
Medical, practitioners have also attempted to minimize drug abuse among students. There are three main treatment goals. These are to help drug abusers stop using drugs, to decrease the toxic effects of the drugs being used .and to prevent relapse. Successful treatment depends on the drug user's recognition of the problem and his/her desire to change. Recovery takes a long time and is not an easy process. Patients may need multiple courses of treatment. These include medication, where drugs are administered. Drugs may help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help prevent relapse, Counseling Therapy is also used. It raises awareness of underlying issues and lifestyles that promote drug use.' It works to improve coping and problem-solving skills and to develop other ways of dealing with stress or pain. Through counseling, a drug abuser can learn to handle situations associated with drug use and replace drug-using activities with meaningful actions. There are also numerous organizations, such as NACADA, dedicated to helping the youth to keep off drugs. Other forms of prevention include individual awareness such as learning about risks related to drug use, not spending time with people who are using illegal drugs, learning to handle peer pressure and seeking counseling for anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

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francis1897 answered the question on August 22, 2022 at 13:48