Assessing College Students Needs to Perventive Intervention for Addiction

The current investigation aims to determine educational needs of college students for preventive means of addiction and substance use. One hundred 1Ç Ã ä anonymous and voluntarily participated in 6 focused group discussions (FGDs), 65 were female (43.33%) and 85 male (56.67%). Also, a sample of staff from health, counseling centers and security (18) took part in 3 different FGDs. Students and staff report that students’ knowledge about addiction, biological and psychological dimensions are little and they seriously, need to basic education about the issues. There are prevalent myth about addiction and substances, especially, myth about “invulnerability”. It ä ÃÇ Ã adulthood should be considered in preventive interventions for college students. Education about “soft” drugs like hookah and tobacco and “hard”drugs like opium and heroin are essential. The most vulnerable students for using substances introduced as freshmen, students living in dormitories, students who have a à ¡ 3ä Ã Ç 1 à -ä 1Ã Ã Ç ing the available services in the universities. Essential needs of college students in prevention of addiction are: Drug education and addiction according to physi äà 1 myth, life skills education with emphasis in coping skills, self-awareness, enrichment of spiritual/ religious believes, study skills training. The evaluative research on preventive interventions that are provided and study of the barriers for utility of available preventive services are also essential. More practical suggestions are provided in the article.