Effective Ways of Addressing Substance Abuse in Society

Substance abuse is one of society's major issues. Addressing it is crucial to saving the lives of thousands of drug and alcohol addicts whose problems affect not only themselves but also the ones they love.

Programs

• Anti-drug programs, such as Drug Abuse and Resistance Education (DARE), educate children on the ills of drug and alcohol abuse before they start experimenting. You can organize an anti-drug program by getting people in your community involved. Start a small group in an area such as a church, and gradually progress from there. Setting an official Board of Directors will enable your to receive grants. Also, get a councilman involved to aid your cause.

Intervention

• According to the National Institute for Health, 17 percent of teenagers start abusing drugs a month after being introduced to them. Parents who suspect that their children are engaging in extensive drug and alcohol use can stage a direct intervention. This can be done by confronting the teen face to face or forcing him to undergo drug testing at a facility. When confronting your teenager, be firm, but make sure to listen to him as well.

After School

• After-school programs keep children active, off the streets and away from negative influences, such as peer pressure, that encourage experimentation. Through after-school programs, children are placed in an environment that allows them to grow and develop while learning about the wrongs associated with drug and alcohol use.