The heightening trend of drug abuse has caused the human services field to be affected tremendously by the number of clients that need or want help in conquering their addictions. According to the national institute on drug abuse “Drug use is highest among people in their late teens and twenties. In 2011, 23.8 percent of 18- to 20-year-olds reported using an illicit drug in the past month.” An addiction or drug abuse counselor is introduced to these issues on a regular basis. Due to the increases of some drug use, over twenty million Americans needed treatment for drug abuse, but only around 2 million received the help they needed. A drug abuse counselor must be prepared for many different scenarios, therefore the need to use strategies to decrease substance abuse.
With the age ranging from late teens and people in their twenties, to people as old as fifty needing treatment, there are many situations that may arise. It is important for the professionals to reach out to school age children and high- risk groups and educate them on the growing issues. These prevention strategies should be aimed to focus on different levels of risk for drug abuse. General prevention plans, like drug education, target all youth without identifying those at high levels of risk. Discerning interventions focus on those who are particularly susceptible to drugs because of family, personal or community risk factors. Specified interventions are rigorous efforts aimed at youth who are already experimenting with drugs or other substances or who may display other risk-related conduct.
Politically, drugs have become more and more accessible. Drug trade holds a close second to the sales of fire arms. The drug abuse counselor is often left in a position where even prescribed drugs are what their clients are battling. This often