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Early Intervention Can Limit Methamphetamine
Use Among Teens
Brief Description:
New research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that prevention
programs conducted in middle school can reduce methamphetamine abuse
among rural teens later in life.
Transcript:
AKINSO: New research by the National Institute on Drug
Abuse shows that prevention programs conducted in middle school can reduce
methamphetamine abuse among rural teens later in life. Because methamphetamine
addiction leads to problems with social interactions and a wide range
of medical conditions, research into early interventions is critical
to protecting the nation's youth according to NIDA Director, Dr. Nora
Volkow.
VOLKOW: That's what's so extraordinary about this study
is that it shows that universal intervention program that teaches the
parents how to deal with their children. And it teaches the children
how to address social situations where it maybe difficult to say no to
drugs, to teach them how to avoid those situations in the intervention
that was done. Aimed at that and strengthening the bond between child
and parent has such a significant effect in the rate of methamphetamine
abuse later on; 5 or 6 years later.
AKINSO: The research assessed the effect of two Iowa
studies on methamphetamine abuse among middle and high school students.
Dr. Volkow said previous preventive interventions have been effective
in reducing adolescents' abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. This
is the first study to examine the effects of a preventive intervention
on methamphetamine abuse among youth. This is Wally Akinso at the National
Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland.
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