Marine Corps Drug Prevention Review

Abstract

The primary objective of this effort was to conduct a thorough review of the effectiveness of existing drug prevention programs and to make recommendations as to how the Marine Corps might improve its current drug prevention efforts. More than 25 drug prevention programs from national, state and community levels were examined. Some of the common components were information on the consequences of drug use, decision-making skill training, public pledges not to use drugs, values clarification, goal setting, stress management, self-esteem building, resistance/life/safety skills training, norm-setting, peer assistance, and alternative activities. The most effective programs utilized the components of normsetting and life skills training. Effective programs also tended to have an interactive small group educational format. They were intensive, including 10 or more sessions and follow-up boosters. Finally educational programs that were part of a comprehensive drug prevention campaign appeared to be more effective. To understand the insights of Marine Corps personnel regarding the service's current drug prevention efforts, a series of focus groups were conducted at various Marine Corp bases. Results from the focus groups centered on 4 specific areas. Participants discussed the risk factors for drug use among Marines, the actual experiences of personnel in Marine Corps drug prevention programs, views regarding what is currently most effective, and views regarding how prevention might be improved. Based on results from the literature review and feedback from the focus groups, this report concludes with ongoing, short-term, and long-term recommendations for Marine Corps drug prevention.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 18, 2003
Accession Number
ADA433293

Entities

People

  • Cheryl B. Olson
  • Cheryl Reed
  • Gary Lawson
  • George Mangual
  • John Clapp
  • John Elder
  • Judy Johnson
  • Lex L. Merrill
  • Nate Lowe
  • Valerie A. Stander

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Basic Training
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Drug Abuse
  • Education
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Health Services
  • Literature Surveys
  • Marine Corps Personnel
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Risk Factors
  • Students
  • Training

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Organizational Psychology.