Illicit Drug Use: Primary Prevention

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, illicit drug use among young people has been given a high profile in public debate, centring on its socially destructive and personally degrading nature. Drug use among young people is a highly emotive subject and can strike fear in the hearts of most parents, which is exacerbated by sensationalist media representation. This article describes the range of strategies used in tackling illicit drug use and discusses their evaluations. It suggests further community approaches with occupational therapist involvement to enable young people to make appropriate decisions regarding drug use.