Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study

BackgroundDigital technologies have a major impact on the daily lives of young people and are also used to seek information on and help with drug-related issues online. ObjectiveThe aim of this article was to analyze current online interventions for young drug users in Slovenia, with the...

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Main Authors: Tomazic, Tina, Jerkovic, Olivera Stanojevic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2020-04-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:http://www.jmir.org/2020/4/e17688/
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author Tomazic, Tina
Jerkovic, Olivera Stanojevic
author_facet Tomazic, Tina
Jerkovic, Olivera Stanojevic
author_sort Tomazic, Tina
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDigital technologies have a major impact on the daily lives of young people and are also used to seek information on and help with drug-related issues online. ObjectiveThe aim of this article was to analyze current online interventions for young drug users in Slovenia, with the purpose of contributing to the development of guidelines and key recommendations for effective online interventions. MethodsThis study was part of the project Click for Support. We performed a keyword search, received input from national experts in the field of drug prevention, and conducted an assessment of recognized national online interventions through workshop-based discussions with the target group of 20 young drug users. ResultsThe current online intervention services in Slovenia are satisfactory but are still not sufficiently recognized. The most important issues for young drug users were the design and functionality of the online intervention, presence of a clear structure, possibility of using it on smartphones, comprehensive and quick professional feedback, and data security. Playful elements and the ability to share (experiences) with other or former users were also recognized as important. ConclusionsWith effective online interventions, we can include more young drug users, facilitate access to a more affordable service, provide quick professional feedback on patterns of consumption, increase knowledge about the effects and consequences of drugs, and support the reduction or cessation of drug use. From the public health perspective, it is challenging to provide drug interventions broadly to the target group and, hence, decrease inequities.
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spelling doaj.art-d882a67400f844d595c91eea5c5969bb2022-12-21T21:09:48ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712020-04-01224e1768810.2196/17688Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory StudyTomazic, TinaJerkovic, Olivera StanojevicBackgroundDigital technologies have a major impact on the daily lives of young people and are also used to seek information on and help with drug-related issues online. ObjectiveThe aim of this article was to analyze current online interventions for young drug users in Slovenia, with the purpose of contributing to the development of guidelines and key recommendations for effective online interventions. MethodsThis study was part of the project Click for Support. We performed a keyword search, received input from national experts in the field of drug prevention, and conducted an assessment of recognized national online interventions through workshop-based discussions with the target group of 20 young drug users. ResultsThe current online intervention services in Slovenia are satisfactory but are still not sufficiently recognized. The most important issues for young drug users were the design and functionality of the online intervention, presence of a clear structure, possibility of using it on smartphones, comprehensive and quick professional feedback, and data security. Playful elements and the ability to share (experiences) with other or former users were also recognized as important. ConclusionsWith effective online interventions, we can include more young drug users, facilitate access to a more affordable service, provide quick professional feedback on patterns of consumption, increase knowledge about the effects and consequences of drugs, and support the reduction or cessation of drug use. From the public health perspective, it is challenging to provide drug interventions broadly to the target group and, hence, decrease inequities.http://www.jmir.org/2020/4/e17688/
spellingShingle Tomazic, Tina
Jerkovic, Olivera Stanojevic
Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
Journal of Medical Internet Research
title Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
title_full Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
title_fullStr Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
title_full_unstemmed Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
title_short Online Interventions for the Selective Prevention of Illicit Drug Use in Young Drug Users: Exploratory Study
title_sort online interventions for the selective prevention of illicit drug use in young drug users exploratory study
url http://www.jmir.org/2020/4/e17688/
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