Health and Fitness : Substance abuse: Prevention vs. reaction

Many may not be aware that October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, but most people have been impacted by substance use and addiction. The vast majority of substance use begins with experimentation during the teen years, leading some to become regular users. Regardless of the choices that have been made, adults have the responsibility to teach kids the values and skills necessary for them to live successful, fulfilling, and addiction free lives. This kind of mentoring can keep the “scale of decision making” in balance, while the lack of guidance will likely lead to more damaging choices. This is why parents are the number one influence on whether their kids will choose to experiment and use a substance.

Though many of us are aware, there is evidence indicating that the presence of certain skills and values will actually decrease the likelihood of substance use occurring. Values such as maintaining good health, caring about others, positive self-image, pride in one’s family, culture, school, and community can all have a positive impact. Skills such as goal setting, forming healthy relationships, dealing with stress, managing feelings, and being able to assertively communicate, can also assist youth in staying substance free. These values and skills can be taught and reinforced by parents throughout the academic years.

Though parents play a vital role, strong partnership with schools is important in raising the percentage of success since most of the social aspect of kids’ lives occurs at school. This is one of the areas where kids can practice the skills they were taught and where the values may be reinforced. Lack of involvement with the schools our kids attend can lead to a division that may slow the development of, even contradict, the values and skills that parents had worked to instill.

Lastly, the environment can be a powerful influence. The environment is a direct result of a community’s values, what the community promotes and what it allows. For instance, in some communities, health is promoted, underage drinking parties are strongly discouraged, and youth oriented areas are substance free, while the retail sale and marketing of substances is limited. Communities such as these will tend to support the family values and have lower youth substance use rates. Communities that support family values may also see the benefits of lower crime rates, less violence, and fewer suicides.

Some may say that “youth substance use isn’t their problem” or that “nothing can be done,” but we know that youth are influenced by their environments, they are social, and that kids have a tendency to behave like their parents. Given that we share a community and that youth will be our future, don’t we all have a vested interest?