A Drug Abuse Prevention Strategy for Rural America.

This paper describes strategies for developing drug abuse prevention programs in rural communities, based on available evidence about factors contributing to drug abuse. Comprehensive interventions to prevent drug abuse and other youth problems are needed because drug abuse is entwined with other problem behaviors and stems from a complex set of social context factors. Community interventions must supplement the prevention efforts of schools and families. The most proximal influence on adolescent substance abuse appears to be association with substance-using peers. Parenting practices also influence adolescent drug use, most notably parental monitoring and limit setting. A longitudinal study in six small Oregon towns confirmed the importance of peer and family relations and led to development of a model of these influences on adolescent problem behaviors. An obvious implication is that communities could reduce substance abuse through parent training in effective parenting practices. Three successful programs are described. Schools can influence drug abuse by providing specifically designed prevention programs; preventing academic failure, which is associated with substance abuse; and identifying high-risk students. Other community strategies include youth programs that act in loco parentis; social, material, and informational support for families; school reform efforts; and organizing for improved childrearing practices. The potential of the media in prevention efforts is also discussed. (Contains 112 references.) (SV)