Pot times July 17, 2005
Reducing The Use Of Crystal Meth
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1129/a03.htmlNewshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 REDUCING THE USE OF CRYSTAL METH
Source: Saanich News (CN BC)
Contact:
saanichnews@vinewsgroup.com
Website: http://www.saanichnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1209
Author: Jim Hackler
There are programs that could reduce the use of crystal meth. But they
will probably be ignored. Successful programs tend to be long term and
universal. Failed programs usually attempt quick fixes and focus on a
narrow target.
Politicians and the public prefer quick fixes, even though they may do harm in
the long run.
One successful program utilized public health nurses to help pregnant,
disadvantaged women become better mothers.
Fifteen years later, when compared with control groups, these families had much
lower rates of drug use, delinquency, and risky sexual behaviour. But we
are unwilling to invest in the future, even though it costs less and is more
effective at reducing human suffering. We prefer to deceive ourselves into
thinking that quick fixes work.
Of course we mean well. Naturally, we want action, not talk." In
quick fix programs, parents usually think they have been helped.
Youth often believe they were saved." Professionals staffing the program
sincerely believe the treatment worked. In the short run, everyone labels
the program a success. Politicians take credit for displaying
leadership."
Congratulatory speeches, awards, publicity, all add to the bandwagon effect.
A careful evaluation using a control group and follow-up several years later
will not be done. Self-deception is easy to achieve.
Unfortunately, families involved in such programs may believe crystal meth can
be addressed separately from other problems. They may learn to blame
others when things go wrong. The quick fix" program often leaves
parents poorly prepared for the next crisis.
By contrast, some programs, such as Parents Together, at the Boys and Girls
Club, recognize that problems come in packages. Drugs, family
difficulties, delinquency, and risky behaviour tend to be interrelated. It
is hard to separate them. While no long term, scientific evaluation of the
effectiveness of Parents Together is planned, they share at least one
characteristic of successful programs.
Families that have been strengthened to cope with the whole host of
interconnected problems seem to handle the next crisis better.
Jim Hackler
Deptartment of Sociology UVic
