These would include the implementation of school drug policies, drug-free school zones, and may involve parents and community agencies such as the police department. Finally, therapeutic strategies are designed for children who are already experiencing adjustment problems in school, the family, and, the community. These programs focus on early identification and referral and may also include alternative day school learning environments. The purpose of these programs is to keep children in school as long as possible while at the same time providing needed therapy in the form of special educational modules and individual and group counselling. A variety of techniques should be employed to realize the aims of these intervention approaches including peer group discussions, special classroom activities, dissemination of policy guidelines, special parent and community organizations, and, individual and group counselling.
Further study is needed to identify and determine the effects of risk and protective factors.
Studies that assess long-term effects need to be carried out. The relationship between process and outcome requires examination. The effect of various strategies in combination with other strategies needs additional investigation. Health Services Research Research specifically targeted toward determining the effectiveness of school-based drug prevention programs as part of the health care services system is encouraged. These studies should assess the effectiveness of drug prevention programs under real world conditions.