Job skills training leads to long-term reduction in drug abuse

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/osu-jst051320.php

News Release 13-May-2020
Ohio State University


Job skills training for low-income youth does more than just help them get better jobs - it makes them significantly less likely than others to use some illicit drugs, even 16 years later.

These positive effects on drug use were seen in those who received job-specific skills training, but not in youth who received only basic job services, such as help with job search or a General Education Development (GED) program.

Results showed that the use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin (not including marijuana) declined for youth who received job-skills training, down to 2.8 percent after 16 years. However, illicit drug use increased for those who received only basic services, up to 5.2 percent in the same time.

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The results are important because the federal and state governments emphasize a "job-first" approach that focuses on helping adults in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program obtain immediate employment, Oh said.

Under a "job first" approach, people usually receive only basic services, which alone were not found to be helpful in preventing drug misuse in this study.

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tags: drug use, drug abuse