This includes a fresh new look and a more user-friendly navigation, an interactive and localized map, an updated Effective Practice section, and a new functionality so users can better develop their organization’s Prevention Hub profile.
The new Prevention Hub design now features snapshots of the work of Mentor International members and other organizations around the world working to empower children and young people to make healthy decisions and avoid drug abuse. The upgraded interactive map now makes it easier for users to find other individuals and organizations working in the field and peruses upcoming events and news in their area or region. The Effective Practice section now features a guide to international quality standards and examples of effective practice. This section will be of use to anyone working in the field of drug prevention and youth development including those undertaking program development, implementation and evaluation as well as policy makers and researchers. Furthermore, Mentor International has also developed the profiles so that new and existing users are also now able to input information about their organizations and publish events, research and news relating to their work.
We hope you will enjoy browsing the upgraded Prevention Hub. Mentor International would really like to hear from you about your experiences using this resource– please e-mail [email protected]
Prevention Hub user, Martha Givaudan, Mexican Institute of Family and Population Research says: “The Prevention Hub ensures that we have the latest knowledge in prevention when going out into our communities. Our learning from the hub influences the workshops we run and the communications we have with others working in the field in Mexico.”
Funded by the IKEA Foundation, the Prevention Hub is an innovative, global, online meeting place for those interested in drug prevention including parents, students, researchers, policy makers and trainers that will provide opportunities for professional development, training and support.
“Young People Consider Menthol Cigarettes Less Harmful”
Submitted by Livia Edegger on 26th June 2014 – 11:07
Adolescents who smoke menthol cigarettes were found to smoke more than teenagers who puff on regular cigarettes, according to a new study. In fact, menthol cigarette users smoked nearly double the amount of cigarettes per day compared to non-menthol cigarette users (43 compared to 26 cigarettes a day). Due to its flavour, young smokers consider menthol cigarettes less harmful than non-menthol ones. The study examined the smoking behaviour of almost 5,000 high school smokers in Canada, of which 32% used menthol cigarettes.
Links:
- Menthol cigarettes linked to increased smoking among teens – Science Daily
“Why Parenting Styles Matter When it Comes to Drug Use Among Teens”
A new study carried out by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention (IREFREA) explores the role of parenting styles on drug use among teenagers. A group of researchers interviewed almost 8,000 students between 11 and 19 years of age across six European countries. The study analysed four parenting styles – authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent and neglectful. The first two parenting styles were characterised by strict rules and control. Authoritative parenting was marked by good communication, affection and flexibility from the parents’ side while the authoritarian style lacked those characteristics. The more lenient parenting styles – ‘indulgent’ and ‘neglectful’ – differed to the extent that in the former parents were affectionate and understanding, qualities that were absent in the latter. The ‘authoritative’ and ‘indulgent’ parenting styles, in which parents were affectionate and understanding, were the most effective in keeping children from using drugs.
“Pre-school Tobacco Prevention Program to be Launched in Mexico”
In the light of high rates of tobacco use among minors in Mexico, the Department of Public Health has joined forces with the National Cancer Research Institute and the MD Anderson Cancer Center to combat smoking among young Mexicans. Smoking is widespread in Mexico City, with 30% of the total population and 20% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 years smoking. The three entities have partnered to launch a pre-school tobacco prevention program used in the United States that promotes an anti-smoking culture and fosters positive attitudes towards smoke-free public spaces and higher tobacco taxes.