Community-Based Prevention Programs
Community Description
Miami-Dade is a county in southeast Florida that is unique in many ways. According to the county’s official website, the estimated population in 2016 was 2,712,945, making it the most populous county in Florida and the seventh-most populous county in the United States (“About Miami-Dade County”). The average per capita income is $41,883, and more than half of the population is foreign-born (“About Miami-Dade County”).
Additionally, it is the fourth largest public school district in the US making school-based prevention programs very effective (“About Miami-Dade County”). However, the county stretches for more than 2,000 square miles, making it difficult to address people in remote places (“About Miami-Dade County”). In short, community characteristics can facilitate or obstruct addiction awareness programs depending on the utilized strategy.
Addiction Prevention Programs
As the county is sizeable with a relatively large population, the most effective way to address the community is through public schools and healthcare facilities. For the present paper, three addiction prevention programs that seem the most rational and effective were chosen. Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is a youth organization that promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides education to the community about the adverse effects of smoking (“Students Working Against Tobacco”).
It utilizes the strategy of improving decision-making skills, helping to resist social pressures to start smoking through education and strengthening self-esteem. According to Das et al., the most effective method used by the SWAT initiative is the digital platform, as students often use online resources to communicate (S71). However, the program might be missing strategies to reduce stress and anxiety. In short, even though the program lacks some features, it is effective in addressing youth.
In high schools, the To Reach Ultimate Success Together (TRUST) program aims at preventing all kinds of substance abuse. It offers an approach to educating children about possible adverse effects, provides methods to improve self-efficacy, and focuses on decision-making and communication skills. The program provides approaches for students and their parents to manage stress and resist outside pressure. The most effective strategy is providing family education, as according to Das et al. family interventions have a positive impact on preventing substance abuse (p. S72). In summary, this approach is holistic and does not seem to lack any specific strategies.
In public health facilities, the Baby Steps for a Healthy Pregnancy initiative is created for future parents to prevent substance abuse. This initiative offers educational videos, awareness posters, and information on their website about central strategies for addiction prevention (“Preconception Health”). The practice that seems to be the most efficient approach of the program is the visual information in hospitals about the connection between parents’ and their future children’s health. However, the program’s efficiency may be limited by the fact that it does not offer any direct help through psychological support. In short, while the program uses a rational approach to addiction prevention, it lacks several key features making it seem ineffective.
Making a Difference
Addiction prevention programs in Miami-Dade County are abundant and all the traditional methods and initiatives are utilized. However, it is a community with exclusive characteristics that need to be appreciated in order to create efficient practices. If I choose to work in the field of addictions, I will combine my knowledge about prevention strategies with the understanding of the community’s needs to create a unique approach to addressing the population.
As the community is relatively large and scattered across more than 2,000 square miles, it would be rational to create a Mobile Awareness Unit (MAU). MAU is a vehicle equipped with a speaker and decorated with anti-addiction slogans that can spread information into the remote corners of the county. A verbal message about the adverse effects of substance abuse will be delivered, attracting the attention of the majority of the population. Additionally, the vehicle will stop in public places, such as parks or mall parking lots, offering free counseling for those who want to know more about prevention or have decided to quit a harmful habit. The proposed intervention acknowledges the essence of the community and addresses its exact needs.
While the initiative seems efficient, limiting factors and possible complications must be stated. First, the MAU cannot address all the addictions at once, as it would limit its effectiveness and the results may be inconclusive (Das S71). However, several MAUs can be set up to provide a holistic approach to the problem if the initiative proves its usefulness. Second, the intervention may need to include additional strategies, such as creating the project’s website and social media pages. For this, help from professionals or enthusiasts that work in the sphere of web development may be required. Therefore, the program will need careful evaluation and substantial funding to be successful.
The MAU initiative is a unique method of approaching addiction prevention and all its elements are to be fully examined before implementation. While the distinctive feature of the intervention is the vehicle, the central component of the program is providing counseling and offering support. Therefore, I need to continuously enhance my knowledge in the field of addictions to contribute to positive social changes within the community.
Works Cited
“About Miami-Dade County.” Miami-Dade County. Web.
Das, Jai K., et al. “Interventions for Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Overview of Systematic Reviews.” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 59, no. 4, 2016, pp. S61-S75. Web.
“Preconception Health.” FloridaHealth. Web.
“Students Working Against Tobacco.” SWATFlorida. Web.