How to Reduce the Potential for Drug Abuse

The Office of National Drug Control Policy indicates that teaching drug abuse prevention is a critical step in guiding kids to be drug-free adults. More than 255 million Americans are drug-free; 61 million drug-abstinent people have used illegal substances in the past. Common effects of drug use on a person's life include poor relationships, financial distress, a higher risk for potentially dangerous accidents and employment troubles. Following these suggestions for educating yourself and young people about the negative impact of drug abuse is a great stepping stone to a happy, healthy future.

Things You'll Need

• Films about drug abuse
• Schedule of local volunteer organizations
• Schedule of AA and NA meetings

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Instructions

Preventing Drug Abuse

• 1

  Educate your teens. Teens are notorious risk-takers, and often rebellious and recalcitrant. You may think that warnings about the dangers of drug abuse go in one ear and out the other. But the truth is that youths do internalize this information. They will think twice about smoking pot before driving. Above The Influence (see Resources) is a campaign that targets kids and offers facts, statistics, entertaining videos about drug use and much more.

• 2

  Watch television. Many films and TV shows glamorize drug use, but there are films and television programs that show a more realistic portrait of drug addiction. The A&E television series "Intervention" can be too graphic for young kids, but if you suspect that your teen is thinking about experimenting with chemicals, it could be helpful to watch an episode together and talk about the possibility of them, too, getting unintentionally hooked.

• 3

  Join a club. It's not just kids who are at risk of developing a drug problem. Many adults find themselves addicted to any number of substances in their 30s and 40s, especially people who go through a rough time like divorce, job loss, or loss of a loved one. If you find yourself in a particularly vulnerable predicament, try joining a sports league or taking an art class. It's a great opportunity to distract yourself with a healthy activity and socialize at the same time.

• 4

  Volunteer at a local shelter. Seeing the effects of drug addiction firsthand is probably the best method of preventing drug abuse. Call your local Red Cross chapter or other volunteer organizations nearby. Tell them you're interested in working with recovering addicts. You can do this alone or with your teen, or teen nieces and nephews.

• 5

  Go to an Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous meeting. You don't have to be addicted to drugs to attend a meeting. Listen to stories by actual recovering people. Remember to identify with their story rather than compare yourself. And keep in mind that these meetings are anonymous. Never reveal the names of anyone you see at a meeting.