Marijuana Use Prevention: The In-DEPTH Model Program

Abstract

Over the past five years marijuana use has doubled among eighth, 10th and 12th grade students, and in several demographics it has tripled. The recent debate over the legalization of medical marijuana (California's Proposition 215), positive media messages, lack of parent/child discussion, and denial by schools and communities may be contributing factors to the rise of drug use among adolescents. The In-DEPTH program, a unique drug education model that educates, prevents, and provides intervention strategies in adolescent marijuana use, has in small multisite surveys shown initial success in decreasing marijuana use and positively changing beliefs. The program is based on pharmacology, addiction medicine principles, economics and the pharmaceutical sales model, and examines drug dealing as well as drug use.

Keywords:

• adolescence
• education
• high-risk youth
• In-DEPTH Program
• intervention
• marijuana
• prevention