I got the opportunity to hear what department they cater for, also finding new and innovative ways to work with one another. 

Module 1 also got us involved in a small group activity. Majority of these activity outlets are new to me and I found them very interactive and informative. 

The presentations/activities are very interactive which I like a lot because it get you think and have a lengthy discussion. 

Part 1 of Module 2: 

1.   First time using a jam board and I found it very useful, something I can use for future activities. The activity for this was on what the different drugs does to the human body. The involvement of the participants was great because they brought different ideas and knowledge.

2.   The brain is still maturing during adolescence, prefrontal cortex. Once an individual introduce drugs it may cause brain changes that have profound and lasting consequences. 

3.   Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for everyday day functions and can drive the compulsive drug use that marks addiction.

Part 2 of Module 2: 

1.   Presentations of the different effects of psychoactive substances.

2.   Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body. 

3.   Biological factors can affect a person’s risk of addiction include their genes, stages of development and even gender.

4.   Parents or Family members who use or misuse drugs can increase children’s risk of future drug problems. 

Stage 1: Experimentation

Particularly among young people, experimentation is often accepted or even encouraged, but it is important to remember that experimentation isn’t always harmless.

Stage 2: Regular Use

It is very important during this stage to be aware for changes in mood and behaviour, shifts in priorities, or early physical

Stage 3: Risky use/ Abuse

Physical or psychological cravings and depression/irritability or fatigue if the drug cannot be accessed.

Stage 4: Addiction and Dependency

The addict has gotten to a point that they would have never previously imagined when they began with experimentation. If they are capable of identifying their problem, they are rarely willing or able to take actions towards correcting it.

These stages helped me to understand how and individual just by experimenting can eventually lead to addiction.

The one that I got was Substance Use Definition. While reading the information given it comprises of several different points. 

1. It affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs.

2. Finding effective treatment for and prevention of substance abuse and substance dependence, now both included under the diagnosis of substance use disorder, has been difficult. 

3. While the specific effects of drugs on the brain can somewhat vary depending on the drug that is being used, virtually every substance that is abused has an effect on the brain. Drugs particularly affect the brain's ability to inhibit actions that the person would otherwise delay or prevent.

: helps us understand not only who has a disorder or disease but why and how it was brought to this individual or region.

: epidemiologists use the insights gathered in their research to determine how illness within a population affects our society and systems on a larger scale, and in turn, provide recommendations for interventions.

: 2 components of epidemiology are Incidence (new cases of health-related condition or substance use) and Prevalence (identification of those cases who have had health problems for a while)

During the lesson I enjoyed the crossword puzzle, even though it was difficult it got me to really use the terms that was mention in the presentation. I must admit I got a few wrong, but was fun. 

Also, a case study was presented to us in order for us to use what we have learnt in this module. I enjoyed the discussion as a large group because I got to hear different input from other countries.  

Session 2
In this second half of the module discussion of Intervention development and Research Methodology was presented. 

It got us in a large/small group discussion on said topics. 

Stages in Intervention development was discussed using a jam board.

: Analyse the problem (particular area or group the intervention will take place)

: Assessment (gather data)

: Identifying stakeholders

: Resources

: Monitoring and Evaluation

For a program to work each step must be taken into consideration from collecting data to the delivery of the programme itself. A scientific approach must be followed for programme selection, improvement strategies must be on going throughout the entire programme. The evaluation will give proof of the effectiveness of the programme. 

Why is prevention science important to Practitioners?

It gives an opportunity to stop the problem before it starts and provides for effective change to support healthy behaviours. It will expand and combine in different ways to provide us with a better tool with which to address substance abuse problems. 

: understanding development are observable behavior and external stimuli in the environment. 

: learning theories focus on how we respond to events or stimuli rather than emphasizing internal factors that motivate our actions. These theories provide an explanation of how experience can change what we do.

The human development and behavioral changes occur throughout a child development, which will bring on changes from their environment that will have a positive or negative influence on them.

A padlet was created for us to see how a child can be influenced positive or negatively in their development, whether it’s from family, school, peers, or community. 
It got to show us that no matter the changes the child will someway or another be influenced and some form of support should be in placed for the child.

: The main difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is that intrinsic motivation comes from within, and extrinsic motivation comes from outside.

: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can work together to help  complete a task.

In the activity using padlet the areas which these motivation is use is in the workplace, family and school.  it was discussed in teams and i got to see how both intrinsic and extrinsic played a part in each of these areas.

When it comes to intrinsic motivation is often seen as ideal due to its sustainability and the inherent nature of its rewards, both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are influential in driving behaviour.

A short video clip was shown which focused on Albert Bandura Theory.

1. Intention to explain how children learn in social environments by observing and then imitating the behavior of others. 

2.Believed that learning could not be fully explained simply through reinforcement, but that the presence of others was also an influence. 

3.That the consequences of an observed behavior often determined whether or not children adopted the behavior themselves.

2.  It ensures that resources are allocated well to solving a community problem.

3.  important to pay attention not only to the track record of a program or strategy but also the norms of the communities in which that program was delivered and how those norms compare to those in the communities.

4.  In order for a program to be delivered with high reliability, it must be delivered in the same way or as close as possible to how it was delivered when it was evaluated.

I had to leave a bit earlier since I hand another online session. However, based on the reading Evidence is a process and always under development. Some interventions will develop stronger support as research is conducted and more is learned about implementation of the intervention and some interventions will fall from favor because new interventions will display greater relative success.
So for each of the stages from Infancy to Late Adolescent interventions are taken into consideration based on the target group and will be most effective. Some interventions will develop stronger support as research is conducted and more is learned about implementation of the intervention and some interventions will fall from favor because new interventions will display greater relative success. Also, what i appreciate is that an intervention should be chosen based on its evidence and practicality. 

:  Most of the support we provide takes place in the context of relationships, having the right people is critical. 

: To provide prevention support, we believe professionals need to have a strong knowledge of prevention.

: Good listening skills, a willingness to learn, and a knack for building relationships with others. 

: These professionals must have the expertise to be perceived as an authority on prevention but still be able to communicate in an approachable, understandable way.

When it comes to prevention programs I learnt that:

1.    Scare tactics does not work because in individual will be curious and will want to experiment, however we must educate and show them what the effects are and be truthful while presenting.

2.    We do not want to have any person(s) who have recovered in our sessions because it brings harm than good.

3.    Prevention is based on science.

The last activity we did was on to answer a form on : Self-Assessment, this self-assessment made me realize that as a department we are lacking in many ways. 

1.    Do not have support from our department to create a program that would best fit our communities.

2.    No research (updated) is done for us to identify needs and wants in the community, school, family, workplace, etc.  to develop a plan for these areas. 

3.    That staff is not trained to do the work professionally.

Reflecting back on this module I need to update my professional development in order for me to develop the proper skills, attitudes, knowledge and competence for me to do the work that is required of me. This training is helping me tremendously in achieving my goals.