Drug use prevention in high school students in Mexico: the experience of an interactive center

María Elena Medina-Mora, Ph.D.
National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente (México)

ABSTRACT:
The talk will describe a drug use prevention model for 5-9th grade students, based on an interactive center. The main objectives were for children, adolescents, parents and teachers to learn in a creative and innovative way alternatives in which they can keep their brain healthy, as well as strategies to avoid getting involved in risky situations, such as drug use.  The specific objectives were: 1) to provide information in a creative and innovative way to children, adolescents, parents, teachers and the population to teach about the brain, the nervous system and the effect of drugs, 2) teach skills for making decisions, 3) influence intentions to use drugs.  The evaluation protocol  included three phases 1) An initial diagnosis of the problem at the entity ( school survey), 2) the development and testing of the model for the interactive center (content of each module and of a cartoon (focus groups, cognitive laboratories, validation of experts) and 3) the evaluation of the perception of children and adolescents, parents and teachers of their experience at Ambar Interactive Center, acquired knowledge, abilities, evaluation of behavioral intentions upon leaving the center  and random survey in the target population in process) 4) expansion of the prevention model to other sites. Results: Students acquired new knowledge, risk factors diminished and protection factors increased, most of the students visiting thought the experience was very good, some teachers thought it was long. At the end of the visit, students reported increase in risk perception and changes in their behavior intentions to use drugs.