Building Community
Involvement
Students are influenced by all of the environments in which they live.
Although classrooms are the logical place to concentrate prevention efforts,
they do not exist in a vacuum. To be truly effective, prevention programs
must reach beyond the school, into the home and community.
According to many experts, the greatest obstacle to safe and drug-free
schools is community norms that favor tobacco, alcohol and other drug
use and violence. Too often, young people get the message from adults
in their communities that drinking alcohol is a “rite of passage,”
something to be expected of teenagers. Too often, they get the message
from the media that drug use is glamorous, sexy and fun. Too often, they
get the message that entertainment is violent and violence is entertaining.
One of the greatest benefits of community-wide prevention strategies is
that they can create environments that promote healthy choices and discourage
problem behaviors. Around the country, many community and parent organizations
are mobilizing to change community attitudes. They are creating media
campaigns and establishing community policies to show that drug use and
violent behavior are not okay. They are establishing community policies
to let young people know that using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs is
not glamorous, but deadly.
The most successful of these organizations enlist the participation and
cooperation of family members, religious and community leaders, school
board members, health experts, legal and medical professionals, business
men and women, volunteer and service agencies and civic groups. By involving
representatives from the entire community, they are able to exert pressure
on the local media and advertisers to present a “no tolerance”
message.
Remember to involve young people as well. Being valued by the community
is a protective
factor and developmental asset for young people, and community groups
are stronger when they regard their youth as resources, rather than problems.
Proactive prevention groups usually begin by identifying the needs of
their own communities and setting priorities. Their specific objectives
are unique to their own communities, but they generally involve shaping
new community norms, sponsoring drug-free social activities, providing
positive peer relationships for young people, and sending a healthy message
to the entire community.
Tips
for Establishing Community-Wide Prevention Programs
Resources
for Building Community Support |
