Information dissemination is a way of creating awareness and knowledge about
the use, abuse and addiction of alcohol and other drugs and/or services
available. Information dissemination is characterized by one-way communication
from the source to the audience, with little or no contact between the two.
Types of activities solicited:
• media campaigns
that create AOD problem awareness (tv, radio and newspaper)
•
media campaigns that advocate for policy change (tv, radio and newspaper)
• public service announcements
• community presentations
and town hall meetings on substance abuse
The community-based process enhances the ability of the community to provide
more effective prevention, intervention and treatment services through collaboration,
networking, and training.
Types of activities solicited:
• youth and adult leadership
opportunities, especially within minority communities
• training
of community members, youth or key officials
Environmental strategies seek to establish or change written and unwritten
policies, community standards, or attitudes around the availability of alcohol
and other drugs. Environmental strategies change the places, settings and/or
occasions in which alcohol or drug use is a problem or can become a problem.
Types of activities solicited:
• policy panels
that address alcohol and other drug use and access by youth
•
modifying alcohol advertising and promotion practices
This strategy involves two-way communication and is distinguished from the
Information Dissemination strategy by the fact that interaction between
the educator/facilitator and the participants is the basis of its activities.
Activities under this strategy aim to affect critical life and social skills,
including decision-making, refusal skills, critical analysis and systematic
judgement abilities.
Alternatives are those programs or events that are provided that exclude
the use of alcohol and other drugs. Alternative programs are usually developed
for high-risk groups. The purpose of providing alternative programs is to
engage individuals in drug free activities to offset the use or need to
use drugs and or alcohol.
Problem identification and referral aims at identifying those individuals
who have engaged in illegal or inappropriate use of alcohol or drugs and
makes referrals to programs that can assist. Most of these programs provide
education only and are not providers of counseling or treatment.
