Primary prevention in practice:
The "CONTRACT CONCEPT" from Sweden

The Contract Concept scientifically evaluated

In December of 2006 the article "It takes two" was published in "Journal of Adolescent Health" (USA). It consists of an evaluation of "Tobacco Free Duo", the largest Contract Concept organization in Sweden with more than 8000 individual young members annually.

Quotations from the abstract:

Results: "A significant decrease of nearly 50% was seen in smoking prevalence in the intervention area. The decrease was evident in grades eight and nine (ages 14–15 years) in both boys and girls. At the start of the intervention, smoking prevalence in grade nine was 16.1% in the intervention area and 23% in the national reference group. Although the prevalence in the national sample remained stable, there was a decrease to 9.0% in the intervention area at the end of the study period." Conclusions: "These results suggest that the Tobacco Free Duo program contributed to a reduction in adolescent smoking among both boys and girls. Using a multi-faceted intervention that includes adolescent–adult partnership can reduce adolescent smoking uptake, and the intervention has been proven to be sustainable within communities."

The full article can be obtained from here.

WHEN, WHERE AND HOW

SHALL WE STOP THEM?

Stepping stones to narcotic drugs: to begin bullying, smoking, vandalizing, drinking, stealing, shirking, getting drunk, beating up somebody and, on the "top floor", doing narcotic drugs. The order of the steps is individual. Everybody on the steps does not go all the way, of course.

Young people on drugs (at least in Scandinavia) have done other "un-smart" things before trying narcotics. They have often tried smoking and started drinking alcohol very early. Many or most of them also have harrassed/bullyed peers, vandalized, stolen, shirked from school, been drunk, assaulted and battered before their drug début.

These are factors that we can affect - especially before they are too influenced by other forces. We can help them delay their débuts (or even make them never start smoking or stealing) for as long as possible in order to obstruct their climbing on the unsmart stepping stones and stop many of them from reaching the higher levels.

Also, according to scientific research, if they start later with tobacco - far less risk of developing lung cancer, if they start later with alcohol - far less risks of a number of problems such as fights, acute hospital visits, unwanted and unprotected sex, crime, high risk drinking, alcoholism and, as I said before, trying - and becoming dependant on - narcotic drugs.

So much is to be gained by delaying these débuts!

Well, how can we get there? Information on that the earlier you start on these steps, the higher risks? What if they enjoy risk taking? Maybe this does not affect their behaviour in the right direction. Pedagogical info to the parents is of great importance, though.

In a lot of Swedish communities we now have a method that really goes straight on the behaviour of the young ones. We go to the schools in an early stage and give all the pupils an oppurtunity to choose themselves - but with their parents involved. We offer them a membership in a "Smart Club". In this team the members get benefits that they appreciate. If you want to join this club, you have to make up your mind to skip the unsmart steps, for a year (at a time). You sign a contract with the Club, one of your parents has to sign and approve of this agreement. Thus the parents can affect the important choices regarding smoking, drinking, stealing etc of their child. And the choice will be conscious and made at home with loving parents instead of "unconscious" in the street with older kids who want your child to make the wrong choice.
In the club activities the kids always are among friends who have made the same smart choice. This will increase their self-esteem. They have signed this contract and got a membership card with their picture. This will make it easier for them to say no to the unsmart issues.

Think about this, talk about it - and contact us!

In Scandinavia we have formed a network organization called SMART. The purpose of this network is mainly to support the local teams by organizing exchange of experience, tips on successful activities (or failures!), conferences to increase competence. We are eager to help new teams start up; within or outside Sweden. Every team is self-governed, autonomous, and should apply the general concept in accordance with the local conditions, circumstances. Russia, or Ireland, is not Sweden!

Read about advantages and disadvantages with the Contract Concept!

An article on teenagers and smoking.

Click here for a local team and its contract, concept and benefits.

Heart breaker: Drugs and deadly lies

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