No civilized society should accept defeat in the constant struggle against drugs. On the other hand, no society will find it easy to win the war against drugs. The jaws of defeat are wide open ready to swallow all. Is it possible to snatch defeat from these awful jaws?
Earlier on this week I listened to a lecture delivered by Professor William Crano at the University. His CV borders on the awesome. Among many other things he served as an advisor to the United Nations, the Surgeon-General of the United States, the National Institutes of Health, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the European Union, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
In my weekly column in The Sunday Times of Malta I will be writing about Crano’s position on the decriminalisation of drugs. Here I would like to refer to what, in his opinion, is one important option to take in order to make progress in the war against drugs.
Crano notes that research clearly shows that adolescents strongly resist threats to their freedom. Such threats are, for example, perceived in anti-drug messages. So instead of launching media anti-drugs campaigns targeting adolescents – a most resistant audience – why not try to persuade parents? Parents do not exhibit strong resistance to anti-drug messages, especially messages that directed to their children.
Is this just the opinion of Crano?
He tested it and the results were very positive; they were much more positive than very expensive campaigns targeting the young. The research showed that the role of parents in the struggle against drugs is pivotal. Parents’ attitude to drugs, the way they speak about drugs and whether they used drugs or not make a big difference to the attitudes and behaviour of their children about drugs. Another important factor is the parents’ perception of their children use or non-use of drugs. This is important as it influences the way parents behave towards their children and the way children react. Theories about self-fulfilling prophecies can teach us a lot in this regard.
Crano’s campaign targeting parents was effective as parents became more aware of drugs and their negative effects. Consequently they monitored their children more closely. Since the ads were not directed towards children they did not see them as an interference with their freedom. Consequently they did not resist them or counter-argue against them. But they got the message just the same.
It was very positive to note that the lecture was very well attended by employees of Sedqa, Malta’s government organisation in the fight against drugs. One hopes that Crano’s ideas and research will be put to good use over here as well.