A historical perspective on the issue of youth drug abuse in Great Britain and Russia: Problem solving styles and approaches

Abstract

© Serials Publications.Increasing level of drug abuse among young Russians explains the actuality of the problem under investigation and requires the development and implementation of productive prevention techniques. Therefore evaluation of positive experience of other countries seems to be of great value. The purpose of the study is to analyze the evolution of the phenomenon of youth drug addiction and scientific approaches to its understanding in Russia and Great Britain at different periods of history. The research follows a complex approach exploring historical, social and cultural realities that lie in the root of the problem. The major peaks of the youth drug abuse were identified. Works of home and British scholars scientifically justified the national drug policies. Comparative analysis of narcotization process in Russia and Great Britain has revealed similarities in the way the phenomenon transformed into a pressing social problem and positive British prevention experience in terms of its possible installation into the Russian educational system. The results could be used in further studies of drug abuse both in home and foreign pedagogy; in the course of drug abuse prevention among students.