Teacher-therapists could play a major role in preventing schools becoming breeding grounds for drink and drug dependency, researchers in Britain said yesterday.
Two major trials in London showed that by targeting problem personality traits, such as thrill-seeking and negativity, at-risk adolescents can be steered away from substance abuse.
One study of 13 to 16-year-olds led to a 40% reduction in binge-drinking behaviour and cut the chances of youngsters taking cocaine by 80%.
The second trial, with results to be published next month, looked at whether teachers with no psychiatric training could be taught to administer the "talking treatment".
Focusing on more than 20 London secondary schools, it found that with little training teachers could emulate the success of the professionals.
They were able to reduce the risk of 13 and 14-year-olds developing an alcohol habit by 40% over a six-month period.
The chances of pupils who already used alcohol becoming binge drinkers was reduced by 55%. Teachers learned to administer the treatment after attending a three-day workshop followed by three hours of supervised practice.
Children were given two therapy sessions, one week apart, lasting 60 and 90 minutes.
A number of London schools have asked for staff to be given similar training, and interest is spreading around the world.
Maeve O’Leary-Barrett, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, who co-ordinated the Adventure trial, said: "Staff do not necessarily have to have a clinical background. They are trained in counselling skills and cognitive or behaviour enhancement therapy. We think this trial shows that this approach is a potentially sustainable approach for schools to work with."
Experts agree substance abuse often has its roots during school age. Adolescent alcohol consumption and drunkenness in Britain has more than doubled in the past decade, and 35% of British secondary school pupils are thought to have used illicit drugs.
The new approach involves first identifying "risky" personality traits in children that might lead them to start drinking or taking drugs. These include negative thinking, anxiety, sensitivity, impulsivity and sensation-seeking. Small groups of four to eight children with particular traits are given tailored therapy sessions that draw on a range of "talking treatment" skills.
The aim is to take the children on a journey of "self discovery" and show them ways of coping other than resorting to alcohol or drugs.
Source: John von Radowitz, The Irish Examiner, 25/08/2010
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
