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.