Standards of Knowledge for the Science of Prevention
Published by the Society for Prevention Research in 2011, Standards of Knowledge for the Science of Prevention is an important document for those working within substance use prevention.
With the aim of professionalising the field, it offers a set of required standards relevant to both prevention researchers and practitioners developed by prevention experts.
Of particular note are the ethical guidelines included in the document.
These are detailed below:
- Always seek to work for the benefit of vulnerable populations and avoid causing harm.
- Maintain fidelity, responsibility and trust as the basis for effective relations with the target population.
- Promote accuracy, honesty and science-based learning in teaching as in practice.
- Encourage fairness, individual justice and treat all persons equally.
- Respect people’s dignity and worth, as well as the individual rights of privacy, confidentiality and self-determination.
Perhaps the key piece of advice that the document gives is that prevention science is, fundamentally, motivated to improve public health. In order to achieve this vision, it is crucial that healthcare trainers and providers seek collaboration so as to effectively harness collective experience and particular skill-sets. Policy and practice, moreover, must be informed by knowledge grounded in scientific research.