In all the existing programs, the role of Physicians and child-care professionals has been ignored. So, bringing them into the scheme of things would help achieve better results. For example,
“Some studies have shown that screening and brief intervention in medical settings may be helpful for youth who screen positive for alcohol problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages clinicians to ask adolescents about their alcohol use, refer those adolescents with suspected drinking problems or other psychosocial problems for age-appropriate treatment, include guidance for substance abuse prevention in routine and episodic office visits, and encourage parental and community efforts to prevent underage drinking.” (Jones, 2001)
Conclusions:
Hence it could be concluded that the early intervention programs are generally quite successful and responsive. This should give pediatricians more confidence in referring dysfunctional families for the intervention services. However, more research and local evaluation efforts are called for to arrive at strategies that provide all families with timely and suitable preventative measures (Bailey, 2004).
Teenage alcoholism is also recognized as a significant public health problem across the United States. It is also a leading cause for youth violence, irresponsible social behavior, poor academic performance, suicidal tendencies and high-risk sexual behavior. Adolescents who indulge in drinking are also prone to substance abuse and attitude problems. If left unattended, they can grow to develop anti-social personalities and face psychological problems as adults.
Pediatricians need to review scrupulously the health promotion actions proposed nationally in light of limited funding. As projects that had appeal to families and clinicians both did not result in major improvements in safety and drug use behaviors when put to rigorous analysis. Prevention endeavors may be better if physicians rather combine their work with others members of the community to bring about coherent change to patients and families in varied settings (Jones, 2001).
References:
Emshoff, J G, & Price, A W (May 1999). Prevention and Intervention Strategies With Children of Alcoholics. Pediatrics, 103, 5. p.1112(1).
Miller, J W, Naimi, T S, Brewer, R D, & Jones, S. E. (Jan 2007). Binge drinking and associated health risk behaviors among high school students., Pediatrics, 119, 1. p.76(10)
Beich, A., Gannik, D., & Malterud, K. (Oct 19, 2002). Screening and brief intervention for excessive alcohol use: qualitative interview study of the experiences of general practitioners. (Primary care)., British Medical Journal, 325, 7369. p.870(3).
Palfrey, J S, Hauser-Cram, P., Bronson, M B, Warfield, M. E., Sirin, S., & Chan, E. (July 2005)., The Brookline Early Education Project: a 25-year follow-up study of a family-centered early health and development intervention. Pediatrics, 116, 1. p.144(9).
Bailey, D B, Hebbeler, K., Scarborough, A., Spiker, D., & Mallik, S. (April 2004). First experiences with early intervention: a national perspective. Pediatrics, 113, 4. p.887(10).
Stevens, M M, Olson, A L, Gaffney, C A, Tosteson, T D, Mott, L A, & Starr, P. (March 2002)., A pediatric, practice-based, randomized trial of drinking and smoking prevention and bicycle helmet, gun, and seatbelt safety promotion, Pediatrics, 109, 3. p.490(8).
Jones, J. (March 17, 2001)., New alcohol strategy being developed for England., British Medical Journal, 322, 7287. p.636.