Citation

Biglan A, Van Ryzin MJ. Perspect. Behav. Sci. 2019; 42(3): 547-563.

Affiliation

Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s40614-019-00217-y

PMID

31976449

PMCID

PMC6769129

Abstract

This article reviews the evidence regarding behavioral science approaches to the prevention of substance use disorders. Prevention science grew out of research on family and school-based interventions that were designed to treat common behavioral problems of children and adolescents. That research showed that the amelioration of problems such as aggressive behavior could prevent the development of later problems including substance use, depression, and academic failure. We begin by reviewing evidence regarding the risk factors that contribute to the development of substance use disorders, as well as the protective factors that can reduce their likelihood. We then describe a variety of family, school, and community prevention programs that have been shown to prevent youthful use and abuse of substances. We conclude by describing the progress that has been made in getting these programs widely and effectively implemented, and the challenges we face in getting to the point where most communities are achieving considerable success in prevent substance use and the other common and costly behavioral and psychological problems of children and adolescents.

© Association for Behavior Analysis International 2019.

Language: en

Keywords

Drug abuse; Family interventions; Nurturing; Prevention; School interventions