Substance Abuse Prevention: Perspectives from India’s Addiction Treatment Professionals

Authors

  • Sebastian A Perumbilly Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.
  • Stephen A Anderson Professor Emeritus, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12724/ajss.33.2

Keywords:

Substance abuse prevention, Addition treatment professionals

Abstract

This article is focused on substance abuse prevention from the perspective of India. Research participants were 112 substance addiction treatment professionals associated with government approved addiction treatment centres in India. They were called from 26 Indian states and 4 union territories in India. Data were collected through a survey instrument using a mixed-methods research design with a focus on concurrent strategies. Participants provided practical recommendations for creating public awareness systemically, concurrently and consistently through a prevention agenda focusing on important social sectors such as schools, employment settings, religious/spiritual settings, and at local, state and national domains of India. This study concludes that creating massive awareness campaigns simultaneously and consistently over long periods of time in all these sectors of the society will facilitate systemic change at the macro-level. Findings have practical implications for policymakers everywhere working towards preventing substance abuse.

Author Biographies

Sebastian A Perumbilly, Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.

Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA.

Stephen A Anderson, Professor Emeritus, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

Professor Emeritus, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

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Published

2015-04-01