Alcohol abuse prevention programs in schools: An initiative towards positive schooling

Pages: 93-96
Sangeeta Trama and Omna (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)

Alcohol use continues to be a major problem from pre-adolescence through young adulthood in India. Results of recent neuroscience research have substantiated the deleterious effects of alcohol on adolescent brain development, and added even more evidence to support the call to prevent and reduce underaged drinking. More of the focus is being laid upon the adolescent alcohol abuse prevention program is because of the reason is that the habits that are inculcated in the adolescent period lasts for a long period of time. The integration of alcohol use prevention programs in the community and our educational system from elementary school through college should be promoted by expert psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and the health care community. Counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and parents play a vital role in screening substance abuse. It is not always the questionnaires that assess the use of substance abuse of the youngsters, but there are many behavioral and physiological changes that youngsters go through, when substance abuse really occurs. School officials and parents should be knowledgeable enough about substance abuse to be able to recognize risk factors for alcohol and other substance abuse among youth, screen for use, provide appropriate brief interventions, and refer to treatment.