'n Psigo-opleidingsontwerp ter oriëntering van hoërskoolonderwysers vir die implementering van 'n substansintervensieprogram

Abstract

Epidemiological studies in South Africa indicate that the experimenting with and the use of drugs among teenagers is a reality. Nowadays schools are forced to intervene, specifically as drugs are freely available at schools. The teachers, however, feel that they do not possess the necessary knowledge and skills to handle this problem and must in consequence increasingly satisfy a wide diversity of demands and expectations for which they have not been equipped. This study has its main aim, the development and evaluation of a psycho-training design towards the orientation in respect of the implementation of a substance intervention program. The literature study especially, emphasises the use of drugs from a BPS perspective and acknowledges the systematic interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. The etiology in respect of adolescent use of drugs and the negative impact thereof on drug addicts are discussed. Attention is furthermore given to protection factors and especially the strengthening of the abilities of adolescents to optimally function in spite of the presence of relatively many life stressors. In the light of the above, the primary and secondary prevention of drugs within schools have been set out. In order to put together an orientation program, different aspects of the pupil-assistance program, as well as the basic principles of psycho-training, were used. For this empirical research, use was made of an availability random sample of twenty one teachers attached to the same Afrikaans high school in the Vaal Triangle. The teachers were randomly allocated to the experimental group, and eleven to the control group. Evaluation was done by means of a measuring instrument generated by the researcher. Both the experimental group and the control group, during the pre- and post-measurements, were subjected to the measuring instrument that included the following: a questionnaire testing knowledge, an attitude scale, and a questionnaire including the measuring of counselling techniques and intervention skills, as well abilities towards creating an infrastructure and to manage this, and a locus of control scale. Only the experimental group was subjected to the psycho-training program. Statistical processing of the test results indicates, that the program brought about a statistically meaningful and practically meaningful improvement within the experimental group, with sizeable effects magnitude in respect of all the variables, namely: knowledge relating to the different aspects of drugs and drug dependence, attitude towards drug abuse and the teenage drug user, knowledge of counselling techniques and intervention skills, as well as the ability to create an infrastructure and to manage this, and also as locus of control in respect of alcohol and drug-related problems. The conclusion could be made, that the program was successful. Results and conclusions are linked with the aims of the study. Limitations in respect of the study were identified and recommendations towards future implementation were made.