School Effects on Adolescent Substance Use: Prevention through Interactive and Social Learning Strategies

Eleni Stefanidi; George Tsitsas

doi:10.4236/ce.2015.65050

Home > Journals > Social Sciences & Humanities > CE

Creative Education > Vol.6 No.5, April 2015

School Effects on Adolescent Substance Use: Prevention through Interactive and Social Learning Strategies ()

Eleni Stefanidi¹, George Tsitsas²

¹Secondary Schools of Greece, Athens, Greece.
²Counseling Centre, Harokopio University, Kallithea, Greece.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2015.65050 PDF HTML 2,574 Downloads 3,286 Views

Abstract

This study aimed to examine: a) the factors in Greek schools that are related to the school course of the adolescent drug abusers; b) the effectiveness of new interactive and social learning strategies in preventing drug use. Data were drawn from a face-to-face survey carried out on population of ex-drug abusers that were attending therapeutic programs of STROFI-KETHEA and in other places such as private with psychiatrists. The sample was 22 boys and 8 girls aged 16 to 21 years. All participants had a drug use experience and high rates of school drop out. The results suggest that factors related to the Greek school environment-meaning its culture, sense of community, education strategies–have negatively affected the school course of the participants. The poor school connectedness and dropping out effect negatively on young people’s behavior and drug use problems. Prevention should be considered through a new approach of the education system.

Keywords

Adolescent Substance Use, School Drop out, Prevention, Learning Strategies

Share and Cite:

Stefanidi, E. and Tsitsas, G. (2015) School Effects on Adolescent Substance Use: Prevention through Interactive and Social Learning Strategies. Creative Education, 6, 501-518. doi: 10.4236/ce.2015.65050.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Andersson, B., Hibell, B., Beck, F., Choquet, M., Kokkevi, A., Fotiou, A., Molinaro, S., Nociar, A., Sieroslawski, J., & Trapencieris, M. (2007). Alcohol and Drug Use Among European 17-18 Year Old Students. Data from the ESPAD Project, 154, 491-516.
[2]	Apostolaki, Α. (2001). Drug and Distorted Behaviour. Athens: Ph.D., Law School.
[3]	Ausubel, D., Novak, J., & Hanesian, H. (1978). Educational Psychology: A Cognitive View (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
[4]	Bertrand, Y. (1994). Comtemporary Educatiocal Theories. Athens: Ellinika Grammata.
[5]	Bond, L., Butler, H., Thomas, L., Carlin, J., Glover, S., Bowes, G., & Patton, G. (2007). Social and School Connectedness in Early Secondary School as Predictors of Late Teenage Substance Use, Mental Health, and Academic Outcomes. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, 357.e9-e18.
[6]	Cochrane, J., Chen, H., Conigrave, K. M., & Hao, W. (2003). Alcohol Use in China. Alcohol, 38, 537-542. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg111
[7]	Cooley-Strickland, M., Quille, T. J., Griffin, R. S., Stuart, E. A., Bradshaw, C. P., & Furr-Holden, D. (2009). Community Violence and Youth: Affect, Behavior, Substance Use, and Academics. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 12, 127-156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10567-009-0051-6
[8]	Duncan, S. C., Strycker, L. A., & Duncan, T. E. (1999). Exploring Associations in Developmental Trends of Adolescent Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behaviour in a High-Risk Population. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22, 21-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018795417956
[9]	EMCDDA (2008). The State of the Drugs Problem in Europe. Luxembourg: EMCDDA.
[10]	Faggiano, F., Vigna-Taglianti, F. D., Versino, E., Zambon, A., Borraccino, A., & Lemma, P. (2008). School-Based Prevention for Illicit Drugs Use: A Systematic Review. Preventive Medicine, 46, 385-396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.11.012
[11]	Farrell, A. D., & White, K. S. (1998). Peer Influences and Drug Use among Urban Adolescents: Family Structure and Parent-Adolescent Relationship as Protective Factors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 248-258. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.66.2.248
[12]	Ferguson, D. M., Boden, J. M., & Horwood, L. J. (2006). Cannabis Use and Other Illicit Drug Use: Testing the Cannabis Gateway Hypothesis. Addiction, 101, 556-569. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01322.x
[13]	Fletcher, A., Bonell, C., & Hargreaves, J. (2008). School Effects on Young People’s Drug Use: A Systematic Review of Intervention and Observational Studies. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42, 209-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.020
[14]	Fontana, D. (1996). Psychology for Educators. Athens: Savvalas Editions.
[15]	Galaif, E. R., Sussman, S., Newcomb, M. D., & Locke, T. F. (2007). Suicidality, Depression, and Alcohol Use among Adolescents: A Review of Empirical Findings. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 19, 27-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/IJAMH.2007.19.1.27
[16]	Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
[17]	Hamilton, H. A., Noh, S., & Adlaf, E. M. (2009). Adolescent Risk Behaviours and Psychological Distress across Immigrant Generations. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 100, 221-225.
[18]	Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (1992). Risk and Protective Factors for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: Implications for Substance Abuse Prevention. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 64-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.64
[19]	Hibell, B., Andersson, B., Bjarnason, T., Ahlström, S., Balakireva, O., Kokkevi, A., & Morgan, M. (2004). The ESPAD Report 2003. Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Students in 35 Countries. Stockholm: The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
[20]	Kandel, D. B., & Logan, J. A. (1984). Patterns of Drug Use from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: I. Periods of Risk for Initiation, Continued Use, and Discontinuation. American Journal of Public Health, 74, 660-666. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.74.7.660
[21]	Karam, E., Kypri, K., & Salamoun, M. (2007). Alcohol Use among College Students: An International Perspective. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 20, 213-221.
[22]	KETHEA (2007). Sociodemographic Characteristics and Patterns of Use of Individuals Who Contacted KETHEA’s Counselling Centres between 2000 and 2006. Athens.
[23]	Kodjo, C. M., & Klein, J. D. (2002). Prevention and Risk of Adolescent Substance Abuse. The Role of Adolescents, Families, and Communities. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 49, 257-268. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0031-3955(01)00003-7
[24]	Kokkevi, A. E., Arapaki, A. A., Richardson, C., Florescu, S., Kuzman, M., & Stergar, E. (2007). Further Investigation of Psychological and Environmental Correlates of Substance Use in Adolescence in Six European Countries. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 88, 308-312. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.10.004
[25]	Kokkevi, A., Nic, Gabhainn, S., & Spyropoulou, M. (2006). Early Initiation of Cannabis Use: A Cross-National European Perspective. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 712-719.
[26]	Koutrouvidis, P., & Koutras, V. (2007). The School Course of Adolescent Drug Abusers, School Adjustment, School Failure, Educational Re-Entrance. Exartisis (Scientific Journal on Addiction Issues in Greece), 12, 42-62.
[27]	Lynskey, M. T., Heath, A. C., Bucholz, K. K. et al. (2003). Escalation of Drug Use in Early Onset Cannabis Users vs Co-Twin Controls. JAMA, 289, 427-433. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.4.427
[28]	Lynskey, M., & Hall, W. (2000). The Effects of Adolescent Cannabis Use on Educational Attainment: A Review. Addiction, 95, 1621-1630. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2000.951116213.x
[29]	Madarasová, G. A., Stewart, R., van Dijk, J. P., Orosová, O., Groothoff, J. W., & Post, D. (2005). Influence of Socio-Eco-nomic Status, Parents and Peers on Smoking Behaviour of Adolescents. European Addiction Research, 11, 204-209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000086403
[30]	Μatsaggouras, Η. (1987). Team Building and Education. Αthens: Glaros.
[31]	Melzer-Lange, M. D. (1998). Violence and Associated High-Risk Health Behavior in Adolescents. Substance Abuse, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pregnancy of Adolescents. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 45, 307-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0031-3955(05)70007-9
[32]	Meyer, E. (1995). Group Teaching: Examples. Thessaloniki: Kyriakidi.
[33]	Miller, J. W., Naimi, T. S., Brewer, R. D., & Jones, S. E. (2007). Binge Drinking and Associated Health Risk Behaviors among High School Students. Pediatrics, 119, 1035-1036. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-0468
[34]	Parry, C. D., Myers, B., Morojele, N. K., Flisher, A. J., Bhana, A., Donson, H., & Plüddemann, A. (2004). Trends in Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Findings from Three Sentinel Sites in South Africa (1997-2001). Journal of Adolescence, 27, 429-440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.11.013
[35]	Peers, I. S. (1996). Statistical Analysis for Education and Psychology. London: Falmer.
[36]	Rousea, P., & Vretakou, B. (2006). Drop-Out Problem in Stage I of the Secondary Education System. Pedagogical Institute, Ministry of National Education and Religion of Greece.
[37]	Simons-Morton, B. G., Farhat, T., ter Bogt, T. F., Hublet, A., Kuntsche, E., Nic Gabhainn, S, Godeau, E., & Kokkevi, A. (2009). HBSC Risk Behaviour Focus Group. Gender Specific Trends in Alcohol Use: Cross-Cultural Comparisons from 1998 to 2006 in 24 Countries and Regions. International Journal of Public Health, 54, 199-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-5411-y
[38]	Stefanis, C. N., & Kokkeve, A. (1986). Depression and Drug Use. Psychopathology, 19, 124-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000285143
[39]	Townsend, L., Flisher, A. J., & King, G. (2007). A Systematic Review of the Relationship between High School Dropout and Substance Use. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 10, 295-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10567-007-0023-7
[40]	Vygotsky, L. S. (1997). Mind in Society. Athens: Gutenberg.
[41]	WHO (1997). Cannabis: A Health Perspective and Research Agenda. Geneva: WHO.
[42]	WHO (1999). Global Status Report on Alcohol. Geneva: WHO.
[43]	WHO (2001). Tobacco and the Rights of the Child. Geneva: WHO.
[44]	Yamaguchi, K., & Kandel, D. B. (1984). Patterns of Drug Use from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Predictors of Progression. American Journal of Public Health, 74, 673-681. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.74.7.673
[45]	Yu, J., & Williford, W. R. (1992). The Age of Alcohol Onset and Alcohol, Cigarette, and Marijuana Use Patterns: An Analysis of Drug Use Progression of Young Adults in New York State. The International Journal of the Addictions, 27, 1313- 1323. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10826089209047353