Psychosocial Intervention Program for School Students for Protection against Substance Abuse

Abstract

Substance abuse, is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Use of these drugs may lead to criminal penalty in addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm. There are many cases in which criminal or antisocial behavior occur when the person is under the influence of a drug. Long term personality changes in individuals may occur as well (Haber et al, .2015). School environment and the classroom climate are major variables influencing the effectiveness of education for drug abuse prevention. Students interact in the context of classrooms, each of which has its own normative climate, encouraging or discouraging certain behaviors. Classrooms exist within and form part of the school environment that provides the larger context for all activities in a school (Botvin, 2015). Drug abuse causes poor performance for students in their school, students who have drug abuse develop aggressive behavior. Drug abuse become a stumbling block to the students learning behavior which is essential element in educational practice. Students believed that drug abuse contributes to withdrawal syndrome. It becomes impossible for such students to concentrate on studies or even interact with fellow students or teachers (Blandford, 2015). Added to that substance abusers often experience an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related problems, poor peer relationships and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society like conflict between friends, family breakdown, violence, gangs, drug trafficking etc. Declining grades, absenteeism from school and other activities, and increased potential for dropping out of school are problems associated with students substance abuse (Hawkins& Calatano, 2016).