Prevention of Drug Use

Drug abuse has been a prevalent problem in the United States for decades. The war on drugs has proven to be ineffective as the statistics of individuals who use drugs continues to rise. How can we prevent our children and loved ones from abusing drugs when they are present in every state, city, and even school? There are, however, several things a parent or loved one can do to help prevent this dangerous abuse.

Children

• We live in a time where children are bringing drugs into school, some at an elementary school age. Some bring them into school not even knowing what they are; however, some do and those children know about them having learned from their parents. The large amount of parents that use drugs in front of their children is disturbingly high. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states: "The potential impact of specific risk and protective factors changes with age. For example, risk factors within the family have greater impact on a younger child, while association with drug-abusing peers may be a more significant risk factor for an adolescent." Clearly, if a child sees drug us at home, this greatly increases his chances of using drugs him/herself.

Education

• If you have a child, the fact that you have no control over their environment once they leave your care, will no doubt cause a feeling of worry and anxiety. Children are exposed to several things in school, drugs included. A parent talking to their children about drugs, although a crucial component of drug prevention, is not enough to insure that they will not succumb to the pressure their peers may place on them. Schools needed to incorporate into their curriculum an educational "class" that not only described drugs and their appearances and ways they make you feel, but about how they can affect your life negatively.

D.A.R.E.

• As the need for drug education within schools became more and more necessary, the government created the anti-drug program "D.A.R.E" or "Drug Abuse Resistance Education" in 1983. The program did lessen the amount of teen and child drug abuse and according to Dare.com, has recently been revamped by no longer having a police officer stand behind a podium lecturing to having "coaches" that use the latest technologies and facts about drug abuse as well as incorporating current issues that include but are not limited to the economy, school budget cuts and terrorism (see References). Children are now shown state of the art images which depict the visual effects on the brain.

Communication

• As education empowers parents and families to help prevent drug abuse, communication is equally as effective. Having an open relationship with your child or loved one is vital in order to help prevent them from abusing drugs. Parents: the anti-drug states that the most influential, vital component in drug abuse prevention is communication. The parents and loved ones must open a line of communication that holds no boundaries about drug usage (see References).

Tips

• Preventing drug abuse is frustrating for all those involved. Some people may listen, others may not. Remaining patient and calm and educating yourself on the warning signs of drug abuse are vital components in helping to stop it. Visit the link below for a comprehensive list of warning signs a user displays as well as questions to ask and hotlines to call free of charge. The most effective treatment of drug abuse is to never try it in the first place. Through education and communication, preventing drug abuse will become more and more effective.