How Can Schools Prevent Adolescent Drug Use?

National studies show that adolescents use drugs at disturbing levels. We know that peer and family relationships play an important role in their decisions about whether or to use drugs. Professors Michael Hecht and Michelle Miller-Day have been studying what happens when adolescents are offered drug by peers or family members and how their narratives or stories about these experiences can be used to develop prevention programs for schools. The Drug Resistance Strategies project has shown that adolescents use four primary means for resisting drug offers. These four strategies are captured by the acronym REAL (refuse or simple no; explain or no with an explanation, avoid the offer or leave) and are the bases for a multicultural prevention program, keepin’ it REAL that has been selected a “model program” by the federal government’s National Registry of Effective Programs.

Miller-Day, M. & Hecht, M.L. (2004). The REAL way to prevent substance
abuse in America. Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, 5 33-36.

Hecht, M. L., Marsiglia, F. F., Elek, E., Wagstaff, D. A, Kulis, S., Dustman, P., & Miller-Day, M. (2003). Culturally-grounded substance use prevention: An evaluation of the keepin’ it R.E.A.L. curriculum. Prevention Science, 4, 233-248.

Gosin, M., Marsiglia, F.F., & Hecht, M.L. (2003) Keepin’ it REAL: A drug resistance curriculum tailored to the strengths and needs of pre-adolescents of the Southwest. The Journal of Drug Education, 33, 2, 119-142.

Miller-Rassulo, M., Alberts, J.K., Hecht, M.L., Krizek, R.L., & Trost, M. (2000). Adolescent relationships and drug abuse. NY: Erlbaum Publications.

Miller, M. A. (1998). The social process of drug resistance in a relational context. Communication Studies, 49, 358-375.

Hecht, M., Trost, M., Bator, R., & MacKinnon, D. (1997). Ethnicity and gender similarities and differences in drug resistance. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 25, 1-23.

Hecht, M.L., Corman, S., & Miller-Rassulo, M. (1993). An evaluation of the drug resistance project: A comparison of film versus live performance. Health Communication, 5, 75-88.

How Can Members of Different Racial Groups Communicate Effectively With Each Other?

From American’s segregationist past to the civil rights struggles to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the problem of race has challenged us. Racial divides sometimes seem so deep that no amount of communication can bridge them. Professor Michael Hecht has been studying this problem for over 20 years. His work has shown that there are important issues that separate us, including lack of acceptance and stereotyping. Conversations involving members of different groups may lack common ground, authenticity, understanding, and acceptance leaving members of minority groups feeling powerless and those in mainstream groups feeling like they have no where to turn. Many whites see minorities as “overly” sensitive about what they are called (e.g., black or African American) as well as what is said, causing some white people to become overly cautious. Unfortunately, this caution can lead to something called “over accommodation” or trying too hard (e.g., bringing up salsa with Latinos, sports with blacks) and this comes across as patronizing. But Hecht has shown that these problems can be overcome by allowing people to express themselves, presenting a positive face (and accepting that from others), being open and friendly, and even something as simple as letting each person have a turn in the conversation. It is important to be genuine and treat each other as equals during these conversations because people are sensitive to the stress of perceived differences. This research also shows that many times mistakes, when they occur, can be corrected.

References

Hecht, M.L., Jackson, R.L., & Ribeau, S. (2003). African American Communication: Exploring Identity and Culture (2nd edition). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associate, Inc.

Martin, J.N, Hecht, M.L., Moore, S., & Larkey, L.K., (2001) African American Conversational Improvement Strategies for Interethnic Communication. Howard Journal of Communication, 12, 1-27.

Hecht, M.L., & Jones-Corley, J. (2001). A layered perspective on prejudice. Studies in International Relations, 22, 93-120.

Hecht, M.L., Larkey, L.K., & Johnson, J.N. (1992). African American and European American perceptions of problematic issues in interethnic communication effectiveness. Human Communication Research, 19, 209-236.

Hecht, M.L., Larkey, L.K., & Johnson, J.N. (1992). African American and European American perceptions of problematic issues in interethnic communication effectiveness. Human Communication Research, 19, 209-236.