Prevention

Prevention programs targeting substance abuse, violence, or sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) often focus on increasing awareness of the issues surrounding these problems within at-risk populations. Adolescents and young adults are frequently the most affected. Because music is one of the biggest influences on the beliefs and views of adolescents, some programs have effectively used music as part of these educational strategies. An approach that utilizes music that is popular within the targeted subculture can often prove a valuable tool for reaching affected youths. Other schemes aimed at preventing risky behavior associated with music use have focused on minimizing the dangers to youths attending music events such as raves. In other cases, government agencies have used music as part of offensives to prevent crime.

The lyrics of music and music videos can be used to convey both positive and negative messages. This is particularly true if the intervention uses music that adolescents view positively. Many of the problems, issues, and values of young people are shaped by their music. Therefore, music genres that are sometimes associated with rebellious behavior, aggression, and substance abuse such as hip-hop and rap can be used to reverse attitudes and educate young people about behaviors that increase the risks associated with their lifestyles. The popularity and wide dissemination of such genres, along with their strong cultural associations, makes them effective tools for reaching young people with more positive messages. Programs that utilize these methods may involve either prerecorded music carrying the intended message, or group programs where the youth work on creating music in a context that facilitates discussion around issues of concern.