Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-9-47-.01

Definitions

This definitions section establishes terminology for Alabama's substance abuse prevention standards, covering concepts such as prevention strategies, evidence-based practices, community planning, and evaluation methods as used throughout Chapter 580-9-47. As a definitions section, it sets the interpretive framework for all other sections in the chapter governing prevention program operations, personnel, and reporting requirements. Operators of prevention programs must apply these definitions consistently across all compliance activities under this chapter.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-9-47-.01 - Definitions 

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All definitions provided herein and the addenda are applicable
 to all Prevention Standards, practices and policies in the State of
 Alabama.

(1)
 Activities: Efforts to be
 conducted to achieve the identified objectives.

(2)
 Adaptation: Modification made to a chosen
 intervention's changes in audience, setting and/or intensity of program
 delivery. Research indicates that adaptations are most effective when
 underlying program theory is understood, core program components have been
 identified and both the community and needs of a population of interest have
 been carefully defined.

(3)

 Advocacy: To promote the interest or cause of a particular
 initiative.

(4)
 Alternative
 Activities: One of the six (6)prevention strategies identified by the Center
 for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) that can be used as part of a
 comprehensive prevention program. This strategy provides for the participation
 of the target population in activities that are alcohol, tobacco and drug-free.
 Examples of alternative activities include drug-free dances and parties, youth
 and adult leadership activities, community drop-in centers, community service
 activities and mentoring program. This strategy is based upon the assumption
 that constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to drugs; or
 otherwise meet the needs usually filled by drugs; and can lead to the reduction
 or elimination of substance use. The use of alternative activities alone as a
 prevention strategy has not been shown to be effective, but alternative
 activities should be part of a comprehensive plan.

(5)
 Best practices: Programs, practices and
 policies that have been rigorously researched and evaluated and have been shown
 to effectively prevent or delay substance abuse.

(6)
 Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
 (CSAP): CSAP is a center within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
 Administration (SAMHSA) that provides national leadership in the effort to
 prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. CSAP works with states and
 communities to develop comprehensive prevention approaches to promote healthy
 communities.

(7)
 Capacity: The
 infrastructure necessary to support needed programs and services in
 communities. Examples include human resources (e.g. personnel with different
 skill sets), material resources (e.g. technical abilities and systems) and
 administrative resources (e.g. telephones).

(8)
 Coalition: A formal arrangement for
 cooperation and collaboration between groups or sectors of a community, in
 which each group retains its identity but all agree to work together toward a
 common goal of building a safe, healthy and drug free community.

(9)
 Community: A group of individuals who
 share cultural and social experiences within a common geographic or political
 jurisdiction. A community may be a neighborhood, town, part of a county, county
 school district, congressional district or regional area.

(10)
 Community-based Process Strategy: One of
 six(6)prevention strategies identified by the Center for Substance Abuse
 Prevention (CSAP) that can be used as part of a comprehensive prevention
 program. This strategy aims to enhance the ability of the community to provide
 more effective prevention and treatment services for substance abuse disorders
 by including activities such as organizing, planning, interagency
 collaboration, coalition building and networking.

(11)
 Community domain: One of the spheres of
 influences identified by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to
 prevent substance use. Community encompasses the societal environments in which
 consumers live, work and socialize. Community domain risk factors include: 
 
(a)
 Lack of bonding or attachment to social
 and community institutions.

(b)

 Lack of community awareness or acknowledgment of substance use
 problems.

(c)
 Community norms
 favorable to substance use and tolerant of abuse.

(d)
 Insufficient community resources to
 support prevention efforts.

(e)

 Inability to address substance abuse issues.

(12)
 Community norms: The attitudes and
 policies toward substance use and crime that a community holds, which are
 communicated in a variety of ways such as laws, written policies, informal
 social practices and expectations that parents and other members of the
 community may have of young people.

(13)
 Comprehensive approach: A systemic and
 programmatic approach to prevention services that addresses risk and protective
 factors from multiple domains using different programs, practices and
 policies.

(14)
 Continuing
 education: Education and training experiences designed to update knowledge and
 skills. Every activity offered for continuing education (CE) credit, regardless
 of its length, must have clearly defined educational objectives and goals that
 must be made available to participants prior to enrollment in the workshop or
 training. Prevention CE hours must focus on subject matter that is specific to
 prevention and have explicit prevention learning objectives.

(15)
 Criminal History Check: is a listing of
 certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by federal and
 state law enforcement agencies in connection with arrests and, in some
 instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service.

(16)
 Culture: The behaviors and beliefs
 characteristic of a particular social, ethnic or age group. Deep culture
 includes those characteristics that are not visible by observation, which
 surface culture includes those characteristics that are visible by
 observation.

(17)
 Cultural
 competence: The capacity of individuals to incorporate ethnic/cultural
 considerations into all aspects of substance abuse prevention and reduction.
 Cultural competence is maximized by diverse representation during every phase
 of the implementation process and the process and outcomes
 evaluation.

(18)
 Data: Information
 or facts from which conclusions can be drawn; collected according to a
 methodology using specific research methods and instruments. A data driven
 process is whereby decisions are informed by and tested against systematically
 gathered and analyzed information.

(19)
 Domain: The spheres of influence
 (activity) that may affect substance use. The domains are individual (peer),
 family, school (work) and community (society/ environment). Characteristics and
 conditions that exist within each domain of activity may act as risk or
 protective factors and present an opportunity for preventive action.

(20)
 Education strategy: One (1)of six (6)
 prevention strategies identified by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
 (CSAP) that can be used as part of a comprehensive prevention program. This
 strategy involves interactive communication between the educator and
 participants and goes beyond information dissemination. Activities for this
 strategy aim to affect life and social skills, including decision making
 refusal and critical analysis skills. Examples of activities for this strategy
 include classroom and small group sessions, parenting and family management
 classes, peer leader and peer helper programs, education programs for youth
 groups and children of substance abusers.

(21)
 Environment: In the Public Health Model,
 the environment is the context in which the host and the agent exist. The
 environment creates conditions that increase or decrease the chance that the
 host will become susceptible and the agent more effective. In the case of
 substance abuse, the environment is a societal climate that encourages,
 supports, reinforces or sustains problematic use of drugs.

(22)
 Environment strategy: One(1)of six(6)
 prevention strategies identified by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
 (CSAP) that can be used as part of a comprehensive prevention program. This
 strategy seeks to establish or change community standards, codes and attitudes,
 thereby influencing the substance use in the general population. Examples of
 methods used include:
(a)
 Establishing and
 reviewing drug policies in schools.

(b)
 Reviewing and modifying alcohol and
 tobacco advertising practices.

(c)

 Product pricing (increases in tobacco or alcohol taxes).

(d)
 Enacting policies targeting underage
 drivers such as zero (0) tolerance laws for underage drinking and driving and
 graduated driving privileges.

(e)

 Interventions addressing location and density of retail outlets selling alcohol
 and tobacco.

(f)
 Implementing
 neighborhood anti-drug strategies, such as citizen surveillance and the use of
 civil remedies-particularly nuisance abatement programs, to reduce the number
 and density of retail drug operations.

(g)
 Restrictions on smoking/tobacco use in
 public and private indoor facilities to reduce tobacco use among adults and
 youth.

(h)
 Server-training programs
 combined with law enforcement to reduce serving alcohol to minors.

(23)
 Epidemiological Profile: A
 summary and characterization of the consumption (use) patterns and consequences
 of the abuse of ATOD (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) or other substances.
 The epidemiological profile identifies the sources of data on consumption
 patterns as well as the indicators used to identify consequences (e.g.,
 morbidity and mortality).

(24)

 Ethics: A stated set of principles and behaviors designed to ensure the highest
 standards of professional practice. In Prevention Ethics areas covered
 typically include non-discrimination, competence, legal and moral standards,
 public statements, publication credit, client welfare, confidentiality, client
 relationships, inter-professional relationships and remuneration.

(25)
 Evaluation: The systematic collection
 and analysis of data needed to make informed decisions about the effectiveness
 of a specific program or intervention. Effective evaluations assess whether
 programs are implemented as planned and whether positive outcomes occur among
 participants.

(26)
 Evaluation
 method: The method used to collect and assess program and outcome information
 (data).

(27)
 Evidence-Based
 (Programs/Practices): As described by SAMHSA, three categories of programming
 that are conceptually sound, consistent, and reasonably well implemented and
 evaluated. The three levels include Promising Programming, Effective
 Programming, and Model Programming.

(28)
 Fidelity: Replicating a program model or
 strategy. A program having "fidelity" should be implemented with the same
 specifications of the original program. Fidelity can balance with adaptations
 to meet local needs.

(29)
 Human
 services: The general study of human and social services that prepares
 individuals to work in public and private service agencies and organizations.
 Human services degrees of higher education that are accepted within the
 Prevention field are a Bachelor's Degree in: 
 
(a)
 Applied Health Science (e.g. Community
 Health, Industrial Hygiene).

(b)

 Communication Disorders (e.g. Audiology, Interpreting, Speech, Deaf
 Education).

(c)
 Criminal
 Justice.

(d)
 Environmental Health
 (e.g. Environmental Health, Health Administration, Occupational Safety and
 Health).

(e)
 Gerontology.

(f)
 Medical Technology.

(g)
 Nursing.

(h)
 Social Work or Sociology.

(i)
 Kinesiology (e.g. Athletic Training,
 Exercise Science, Physical Education).

(j)
 Recreation Administration (e.g. Leisure
 Services, Therapeutic Recreation).

(k)
 Education.

(l)
 Psychology or

(m)
 Another human service degree not
 reflected in the list to be evaluated by ADMH staff.

(30)
 Impact: The net effect observed within
 an outcome domain. This may also be referred to as the long-term
 effect.

(31)
 Indicated: The
 Continuum of Care classification for prevention interventions focused on
 high-risk individuals who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs
 or symptoms that foreshadow behavioral health disorders, prior to the diagnosis
 of a disorder. The system was developed by the Institute of Medicine.

(32)
 Individual/peer domain: One of the
 spheres of influence identified by Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
 that focuses on an individual's beliefs, attitudes and actions and potential
 effects on substance use. Risk factors within the individual domain for
 substance abuse include:
(a)
 Lack of knowledge
 about the negative consequences associated with using illegal
 substances.

(b)
 Attitudes favorable
 toward use.

(c)
 Early onset of
 use.

(d)
 Biological or
 psychological predispositions.

(e)

 Antisocial behavior.

(f)
 Sensation
 seeking.

(g)
 Lack of adult
 supervision.

(33)

 Information dissemination: One (1) of six (6) prevention strategies identified
 by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) that can be used as part of
 a comprehensive prevention program. This strategy provides information about
 drug use, abuse and addiction and the effects on individuals, families and
 communities. It also provides information on available prevention programs and
 services. Examples for this strategy include: 
 
(a)
 Clearinghouses and other information
 resource centers.

(b)
 Media
 campaigns.

(c)
 Brochures and
 letters.

(d)
 Speaking
 engagements.

(e)
 Health
 Fairs.

(34)
 Institute of
 Medicine Model (lOM) of "The Continuum of Care": is a classification system
 that presents the scope of behavioral health services that includes promotion
 of health, prevention of disease, treatment, and maintenance/recovery.
 Promotion and prevention are part of this system and includes three_commonly
 used classifications: Universal, Selective, and Indicated.

(35)
 Intervention: The phase along the
 continuum of care between prevention and treatment. Intervention is concerned
 with those (usually youths) who have only recently begun to experiment with
 substances. The policies, programs and practices used for intervention
 experimentation progresses to the stage at which treatment is needed.

(36)
 Media advocacy: The use of television,
 radio, print or other mediums to influence community norms and policies.
 Traditionally, the role of media in prevention has been to increase general
 awareness about substance abuse and related problems in an attempt to change
 individual behavior regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

(37)
 Media campaign: The use of television,
 radio, educational materials, websites and other publications to reach parents
 and youth. This is a multi-dimensional approach to educate and empower youth to
 reject substance use.

(38)
 Media
 literacy: The training and education of people to be able to critically analyze
 alcohol and tobacco messages seen via television, websites, movies, print and
 other entertainment mediums in order to gain an understanding of how companies
 may market alcohol and tobacco products.

(39)
 National Outcome Measures (NOMS) - The
 Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has collaborated
 with states in an effort to measure the outcomes for clients in all Substance
 Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded programs with the
 goal of using information to improve services for communities.

(40)
 Needs assessment: A tool used to
 understand the nature and extent of a health or social problem in a community
 with the intent to respond appropriately to programmatic, policy and budgetary
 decisions. Needs assessments are research-based to permit planning, programming
 and resource expenditure guided by data rather than subjective judgments or
 political considerations.

(41)

 Objectives: To identify what is to be accomplished during a specific period to
 move toward achievement of a goal.

(42)
 Outcome: A short-term or long-term
 measure of changes in substance use and its consequences related to the
 implementation of a prevention program.

(43)
 Prevention: A proactive process that
 empowers individuals and systems to meet the challenges of life events and
 transitions by creating and reinforcing conditions that promote healthy
 behaviors and lifestyles. The goal of substance abuse prevention is to foster a
 climate where:
(a)
 Alcohol use is acceptable
 only for those of legal age and when the risk of adverse consequences is
 minimal.

(b)
 Prescription and
 over-the-counter drugs are used for the medical purposes for which they were
 intended.

(c)
 Other substances that
 may be abused (e.g. aerosols, paint thinners, glue) are used for their intended
 purposes.

(d)
 Illegal drugs and
 tobacco are not used at all.

(44)
 Problem identification and referral
 strategy: One (1) of six (6) prevention strategies identified by the Center for
 Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) that can be used as part of a comprehensive
 prevention program. This strategy aims to identify those who have indulged in
 the use of illicit drugs or underage use of tobacco and alcohol in order to
 determine whether their behavior can be reversed through education. This
 strategy does not include any activity designed to determine whether an
 individual is in need of treatment. An example of an activity for this strategy
 is the development of a student assistance program.

(45)
 Program evaluation: The systematic
 collection and analysis of data needed to make informed decisions about a
 specific program or intervention.

(46)
 Protective factors: Factors that may
 prevent substance use, particularly among youth in vulnerable environments.
 Examples include norms against drug use and social skills to resist drug
 use.

(47)
 Resource development: The
 enhancement of existing resources and the creation of new resources to
 facilitate community coalitions, educate the community about public health
 initiatives and collect, analyze and organize public health data.

(48)
 Selective: The Continuum of Care
 classification for prevention interventions focused on individuals or subgroups
 of the population whose risk of developing behavioral health disorders is
 significantly higher than average.

(49)
 SPF (Strategic Prevention Framework): A
 five-step process of planning to create a framework that promotes assets
 building to achieve goals. The framework steps include assessment, capacity,
 planning, implementation and evaluation. The framework was developed by SAMHSA
 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

(50)
 Stakeholders: All members of the
 community who have a stake in the activities or outcomes of a substance abuse
 intervention. Typical stakeholders include consumers of prevention services,
 community partners, staff, board members, volunteers, sister agencies and
 funding sources.

(51)

 Subcontractor: Anyone who performs a service for pay under the auspices of the
 direct contractor with the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
 Services. The provider can subcontract up to 10% of the budget amount without
 prior approval. The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services must
 approve amounts greater than 10%.

(52)
 Substance abuse: The use or abuse of
 illegal drugs. The abuse of inhalant. The use of alcohol, tobacco or other
 related products as prohibited by State or local law.

(53)
 Substance use: The general consumption
 of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

(54)
 Supervised practical experience: The
 direct observation of a staff member completing work duties that includes
 providing feedback to increase their knowledge and assist with their
 development. Experience gained while working towards the completion of
 personnel requirements. Experience is gained under the supervision of someone
 that has a masters in a human service related field and two (2) years work
 experience in substance abuse treatment or prevention or that is a Certified
 Prevention Specialist or a Certified Prevention Manager by an independent
 certification board offering a credential approved by the Alabama Department of
 Mental Health (ADMH).

(55)
 Target
 population: A group of people, usually those at high risk, who may have
 specific programs, practices and policies targeted to reach them in order to
 prevent substance use.

(56)

 Treatment: An organized array of services and interventions with a primary
 focus on curing or treating specific disorders or conditions, providing both
 acute stabilization and ongoing therapy.

(57)
 Universal: The Continuum of Care
 classification for prevention interventions focused on the general public or a
 population subgroup that have not been identified on the basis of
 risk.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code
 r. 
580-9-47-.01

New Rule: Filed January
 27, 2000; effective March 2, 2000. New Rule: Filed June 19, 2012; effective
 July 24, 2012. Repealed: Filed June 25, 2012; effective July 30, 2012. Amended:
 Filed August 22, 2013; effective September 26,
 2013.

Author:
 Division of Substance Abuse
 Services

Statutory Authority:

Code of Ala.
 1975
, §
 
22-50-11
.

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