The implementation of good practice in school-based drug education : a stakeholder evaluation
This thesis analyses the delivery of drug education in the school setting through an exploration of the views, experiences and actions of two key stakeholders in the process: teachers with responsibility for programme co-ordination and development and pupils in the 15-16 year old age group. It is based on mixed methodology research carried out in schools in the East Midlands of England (1997-1999) and is inspired by post-positivist evaluation paradigms. Drawing on theories and models from sociology, psychology (communication theory), policy studies and health education, the thesis promotes understanding of factors helping and hindering the implementation of principles of good practice in drug education. The main reasons for a discrepancy between `ideals' and chalk face realities emerge as timetable constraints, a lack of confident and skilled delivery teachers and uncertainty in relation to the acceptability of a harm-reduction focus to programmes. Implicated, on a deeper level, are the dominant values in the education system and the ideology behind current drug control policy. The thesis develops a conceptual schema that captures the personal, interpersonal, organisational and wider, contextual influences behind patterns of variability in young people's take-up of drug education messages and indicates how these interrelate. It also sets out an argument that the key to efficacy in drug education lies in the sensitive tailoring of programmes to the pre-dispositions that young people bring to the process. The thesis concludes with recommendations for the future enhancement of policy and practice in this area.
Theory in a Nutshell: A Guide to Health Promotion Theory
Theory in a nutshell offers a brief overview of some of the central theoretical approaches informing health promotion strategies and practice. The authors start from the premise that theoretically informed health promotion leads to more effective programs. However, they suggest the role of theory in building promotion programs and projects is often more implicit than explicit. The aim of the book then is to provide students and practitioners with a rudimentary knowledge of the most influential theories in order to demonstrate how a 'prudent' use of theories can improve the 'effectiveness and sustainability of health promotion programs'.
Challenges in public health and health promotion: a way forward
Issue addressed: The sinking of the Titanic is used as a metaphor through which to explore the ethics and practice of health promotion as applied to social conflicts, mortality rates and structural inequalities. (author abstract)