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In dealing with the concerns and problems associated with marijuana and other drugs, prevention must play a key role. Preventing problems from happening in the first place is not only humane but cost effective. An interesting way to look at prevention is from the context of examining What Kids Need. Included in this section is an examination of risk factor and protective factor research which essentially operates on the principle that if children’s needs are effectively met, the potential for a child to fall victim to substance abuse is significantly reduced.
"In their 1983 book Stress, Coping and Development in Children, Norman Garmezy and Michael Rutter write: ‘Ultimately, the potential for prevention surely lies in increasing our knowledge and understanding of reasons why some children are not damaged by deprivation.' A phrase occurring often in the literature sums up the resilient child as one who ‘works well, plays well, loves well, and expects well.’" (Prevention Should Emphasize Protective Factors, Bonnie Benard, Turning the corner from risk to resiliency, Western Center News, September 1991) "If we can determine the personal and environmental sources of social competence and wellness, we can better plan preventive interventions focused on creating and enhancing the personal and environmental attributes that serve as the key to healthy development." (Prevention Should Emphasize Protective Factors, Bonnie Benard, Western Center News, September 1991) "As change agents, we have to focus on what works, on what we’ve learned from longitudinal research about what protects kids living in high-risk environments, on what we’ve learned from programs that have successfully reduced problems such as alcohol and other drug abuse..." (Resiliency Requires Changing Hearts and Minds, Bonnie Benard, Western Center News) "If we are truly concerned with prevention of problems such as substance abuse, delinquency, and teen pregnancy, we as a nation must commit ourselves to ensuring that all people have access to health care, child care, housing, adequate nutrition, education, and employment opportunities." (Schools should celebrate multi-cultural ‘salad,’ Bonnie Benard, Turning the corner from risk to resiliency, Western Center News, June, 1991) |
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