Pubdate: Thu, 09 Dec 2004
Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV)
Copyright: 2004 Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Contact:  http://www.bdtonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1483
Author: Scott Burton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO RESIST DRUGS

Substance abuse by teens has dramatically increased over the last decade. 
Healthcare providers and the educational system are on the front lines when 
combating this issue.

According to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA) report titled "Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): National 
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services 1992-2002," the number of 
teenagers (12-17 years) that were admitted to substance abuse treatment 
programs increased 65 percent during the past decade. The SAMHSA report 
also states that the number of admissions for primary marijuana abuse 
increased 350 percent from 1992-2002.

In another survey of 68,000 respondents conducted by SAMHSA in 2003, about 
22 million Americans suffer from substance abuse. Marijuana was the most 
commonly used drug, with approximately 15 million users, then cocaine with 
approximately 2 million users, and 1 million are reported to use hallucinogens.

The survey also reports that about 6 million people have used prescription 
drugs for nonmedical purposes. SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie states 
"The youthfulness of people admitted for marijuana use shows that we need 
to work harder to get the message out that marijuana is a dangerous 
addictive substance."

Some programs currently in place have been successful and need to be 
encouraged further. One of these is the Drug Abuse Resistance Education 
(D.A.R.E.) program. One study of 3,150 high school juniors in Ohio found 
that students who completed two or more semesters of the D.A.R.E. program 
in elementary school were 50 percent less likely to become high-risk 
abusers of drugs and alcohol than were students who were not exposed to the 
D.A.RE. program.

The study indicates that D.A.R.E. Graduates are more likely to discuss the 
dangers of getting drunk or using drugs with their parents. D.A.R.E. 
graduates also have significantly more respect for law enforcement officers 
than do high school juniors without D.A.R.E. training. D.A.R.E. programs in 
the schools should be encouraged and funded well. Get involved in your 
community and schools.

Find out if your local schools have D.A.R.E. programs, or their equivalent. 
Find out how well they are funded. Find out if the local drug problem has 
increased. Find out what your officials are attempting to do to correct the 
problem. Remember crime levels have been shown to increase in an area that 
has high levels of substance abuse and dependence. Our ability to safely 
walk down the street is in our hands, if we encourage and teach our 
children how to resist drugs.

Scott Burton, Princeton, W.Va.
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