UPDATING THE 'JUST SAY NO' PROGRAM TO MORE THAN A SLOGAN

Steven Foxworth's "Updating 'Just Say No': More Than Just the Slogan" is a thought-provoking article about the importance of substance abuse prevention messaging. In the article, Foxworth argues that the "Just Say No" campaign, which was popularized in the 1980s, is no longer an effective means of preventing drug use among young people. Instead, he believes that prevention efforts should focus on providing young people with the tools and resources needed to make informed decisions about drug use. One of the major problems with the "Just Say No" campaign, according to Foxworth, is that it places too much emphasis on the individual's ability to resist temptation. Foxworth references a National Educators Association (NEA) article by Amanda Litvinov where she writes that evidence shows that life skills training is one of the most effective tools for preventing drug use. These educators are seeing results. This approach fails to take into account the complex social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to drug use. Additionally, the campaign does not provide young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about drugs. Foxworth suggests that a more effective approach to substance abuse prevention would involve providing young people with accurate information about drugs and their effects, as well as teaching them the skills they need to resist peer pressure and make healthy choices. This could include education about the dangers of addiction, as well as resources for seeking help if they or someone they know is struggling with substance abuse. Overall, Foxworth's article is an important reminder that prevention efforts must be grounded in evidence-based practices and tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. By updating our approach to substance abuse prevention messaging, we can help ensure that young people have the tools and resources they need to make informed, healthy decisions about drug use.