Investigating the Current Situation of Strategic Management of Primary Prevention of Addiction with a Cultural Approach in Iran

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the situation of strategic management of primary prevention of addiction with a cultural approach in terms of level of importance (applicability) and current situation (level of implementation). Method: The method of the present study was of descriptive-analytical and survey type, which was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population of this research included all cultural and primary prevention of addiction experts in the member organizations and related to the anti-narcotics headquarters in 2018 nationwide. Among the cultural and prevention experts in the capital cities of all provinces of the country located in the key institutions in the fields of culture and addiction prevention, 275 people were selected based on the sample size estimation table of Krejcie and Morgan using a proportionate stratified sampling method. In order to measure the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, qualitative content validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. Results: The results of data analysis showed that when comparing the eight strategies in terms of the current situation (level of implementation) and the level of importance (applicability), there was a significant difference in favor of the level of importance (applicability). In addition, given the higher average ratings of the level of importance (applicability) of the eight strategies than the average ratings of the current situation (level of implementation), it can be said that the operational status of the eight strategies is not at a favorable level. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it can be said that addiction prevention requires cultural management through which we can take transformational steps to reduce cultural poverty in society and increase the socio-cultural approach to addiction prevention in the target foci of society.