Substance abuse is a serious threat to the health and safety of U.S. children. While treatment programs exist for helping drug abusers regain sobriety, prevention is the best solution for protecting the health and well-being of children. The idea that discussing the dangers of drug abuse will lead kids to try drugs can be counterproductive and even harmful.
Types of Programs
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are three types of programs: universal, selective and indicated programs. Universal programs are aimed at the population at large, such as students in a particular school, while selective programs are designed for specific high-risk groups like children of substance abusers. Indicated programs target people who already use drugs, such as patients in a recovery group.
Spreading Awareness
Substance abuse prevention involves spreading awareness and education about the dangers of drug abuse. Individual programs vary in their structure and methods of delivery, but usually revolve around the central theme that drug abuse is harmful to physical and emotional health.
Substance abuse courses are generally taught by school teachers, parents, law enforcement officers and religious leaders, while some are led by recovering addicts who share personal stories about the harms of drug abuse.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of a given prevention program relies heavily on its structure and implementation. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, programs that are underfunded, limited in scope or too brief often fail to make an impact on the behavior of kids and teens.
Programs that provide factual information about the risks of drug abuse, set realistic goals and teach kids how to refuse drugs are the most likely to produce tangible results.
Role of Parents
Parental involvement is one of the most important components of any drug prevention program. While government and school-based programs offer helpful information and support, parents are the primary role models and educators of kids and teens. Open communication between parents and children in conjunction with close supervision are vital for keeping kids off drugs.
Kids Who are Abusing Drugs
Children who have already tried drugs may require alternative strategies to prevent further abuse and addiction. Possession of drug paraphernalia, sudden changes in mood or behavior and declining academic performance may signal drug use in kids and teens.
