It is often very difficult to find drug education classes. This is partly due to the fact that most classes are offered at inconvenient times or are found at a drug treatment facility, which might make some people feel uncomfortable. Drug education classes are typically required by those that have been arrested for some drug related offense, such as a minor in possession of marijuana, or other drug possession charge.
Interestingly, not everyone that is charged and required to take a drug awareness class is a drug addict. Often, those charged may have simply been at the wrong place at the wrong time, while others may have just been a time bomb waiting to get caught. With New York drug education classes being in extremely high demand; this is really no surprise due to the high density population of the state. While New York isn’t the only state with drug problems, it leads the pack with California, Texas and Florida. There is no data available at this time how many people are referred to these programs, but I suspect the number is higher than one might realize.
What most people also don't realize is what is taught in these classes. There is often confusion between drug treatment and drug education. Drug treatment happens at in patient facility such as a hospital or agency or at an out-patient treatment center. The participants are closely monitored by doctors and drug treatment specialists and will frequently undergo drug testing. In contrast, a drug education class is designed to education the participant about the risks and consequences of substance use, abuse and possession. Treatment is not the focus or the designed purpose. Education classes are not a substitute for medical or psychological counseling or advice. They are designed to teach the participant specific information about drugs so they better understand them as well as some basic coping skills. These classes might be a great adjunctive intervention to a treatment program but never a replacement.
One way to learn skills in these classes is to consider taking the class online. Online Drug Education classes are effective and often lower cost alternative to traditional in person classes. Participants also don’t have feel stigmatized by being in a room filled with other drug offenders because the online classes create anonymity. The other distinct advantage is the fact that you don’t have to travel, miss time from work or school and you can take the classes in the comfort of your own home or office.