Prevent or reduce risky use by teens

Level of research support: Some evidence of effectiveness

What is it?

While the use of tobacco, alcohol or any other drug by children or adolescents may be a cause for concern, repeated use—especially on a daily basis—may pave the way for a strong habit or dependence, which can be hard to break. Fortunately, most drug use by young people is experimental or social.

However, it cannot be emphasized enough that even occasional use can be hazardous and, at the wrong time and in the wrong dose and wrong place, even fatal. The consequences of occasional heavy use (e.g., alcohol poisoning) are the most frequent causes of serious harm from drug use among young people. Dependence, though serious, is much less common.

Why do it?

Research shows that the younger a person is when they start using a drug excessively or regularly, the more likely they are to experience harms or develop problematic substance use later in life. Therefore, early intervention strategies to prevent or reduce harmful or risky use patterns are likely to have positive long-term health outcomes (CARBC, 2006).

Experimental use, or consuming small amounts of alcohol in the context of a family gathering or celebration, is not linked to the likelihood of problematic use later in life (Ward et al., 2010). In fact, modelling responsible use of alcohol by adults in the home or community can pave the way to safer drug use choices for teens as they grow older.

Who is it for?

• Young people (selected)
• People displaying risky patterns (indicated)

Who can facilitate it?

• Interested citizens
• Community leaders
• Municipal governments
• Schools
• Health services
• Social services
• Business community

How can we implement it?

Change social attitudes and perceived norms

• Engage broad community participation in exploring ways to influence social attitudes and responses to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
• Identify and address environmental influences that undermine health promotion efforts and reinforce risky behaviours. For example, communities that allow advertising featuring "the fun side" of excessive alcohol use will be less likely to see positive outcomes from efforts aimed at helping at-risk individuals develop self-management skills.

Restrict teen access to tobacco and alcohol

• Work with stakeholders to find ways to encourage increased retailer compliance with age identification for tobacco and alcohol sales.
• Use media and parent education strategies to encourage responsible supervision of access to tobacco and alcohol in the home and social contexts.

Increase engaging activities for teens

• Work with the broader community to offer youth healthy alcohol-free environments in which to play and learn new skills, and opportunities for young people to make healthy connections with caring adults.
• Engage youth in creating healthy contexts and activities (e.g., a youth-led art or sport program).
• Work with youth and other stakeholders in exploring ways to reduce perceived favourable norms regarding drug use. (Young people often have exaggerated beliefs about the number of peers using alcohol or other drugs.)
• Increase teen exposure to mentorship programs that provide careful matching of adult mentors with youth, and include training and ongoing support.

Support health promoting policies and practices in schools

• Focus drug education on building competencies.
• Provide screening, intervention and referral in the school setting. (See Helping Schools for further guidance.)

Sources and related material