by Christine Sandor

Created on: May 15, 2009   Last Updated: May 27, 2009

The Coalition for Drug Abuse Prevention states that one of every eight Americans is the child of an alcoholic, nearly 50% of all murders and acts of domestic violence are alcohol or drug related as well as over 50% of all rapes, assaults and manslaughter charges. The staggering statistics speak volumes to the need for further drug abuse prevention programs.

While drug abuse prevention begins in the home, schools and the community-at-large as also responsible for guiding youth in making responsible and healthier decisions. Caregivers, teachers and community organizers have a responsibility to understand the severity of substance abuse, educate themselves about the risk factors involved and begin teaching children at an early age about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

Parents are the first key to drug abuse prevention among children and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics reminds caregivers, while there are no guarantees a child will not use drugs, if they have the tools and knowledge to make appropriate choices they may be more likely opt out of ever trying alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.
Parental influence begins with modeling behaviors. Children mimic what they see and if a parent has a drug or alcohol problem a child is more likely to follow in the parental footsteps. Parents who are concerned about substance abuse and drug abuse prevention need to provide clear guidance for their children. Taking the extra time to talk to your child about the effects and issues of drugs and alcohol use opens the door for frank and honest discussions at any time.

Knowing family history and identifying any other risk factors children can guide parents and educators if a child or adolescent displays specific needs. Parental support as well as enhanced support from prevention programs should be considered if a child or adolescent exhibits deviant, defiant, or aggressive behaviors; has a family history of drug or alcohol abuse; or displays poor self control and low self esteem.

Drug abuse prevention programs, whether in the school system or the community should focus on all forms of drug abuse. This includes, but is not limited too, tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, and legally obtained substances such as inhalants or prescription and over the counter drugs. Adaptations to the educational drug abuse prevention program should be made depending on the target audience. Certainly the age of the audience as well as

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