Chapter abstracts
Chapter 1
The contemporary context and local awareness
by Janusz Sieroslawski and Grazyna Swiatkiewicz
In the 1990s, we observed an increase in psychoactive substance use and drug-related problems. This trend can be seen mainly among the young. The increase is accompanied by other social problems such as crime, unemployment or poverty.
Social policy is characterized by narrow approaches towards these issues: each of them is treated as separate. The context of the other problems is, however, vital for the implementation of the proper prevention strategy. Excessive concentration on a single phenomenon without paying attention to the others may not correspond with the social expectations, and may also obstruct the best use of the methods and social energy.
Drug-related problems should be looked at from a broad perspective. They should be seen within the context of problems relating to the use of other psychoactive substances. According to the World Health Organization, all psychoactive substances, whether legal or not, are, from a public health perspective, potentially dangerous. Such issues should be dealt with together. Many preventive measures, no matter whether they aim to prevent drug addiction or alcoholism are similar.
The local tier plays an increasingly important role in the prevention strategy. Thus, the leitmotif of this Handbook is local prevention. We hope that its content will prove to be helpful in preparing more effective prevention strategies. The term 'strategy' will be recurring many times, in a host of contexts, as the authors believe that the right prevention is a mixture of long-term, well-coordinated and carefully prepared co-operation of many agencies, institutions and persons.
