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Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse. & Children. How young? Why?. Research data indicates that a surprising number are abusing substances by age 12 or 13. This obviously means they may have started prior to these ages!

bert-monroe
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Substance Abuse

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  1. Substance Abuse & Children

  2. How young? Why? • Research data indicates that a surprising number are abusing substances by age 12 or 13. This obviously means they may have started prior to these ages! • Transition times place youth at their greatest moment of risk – moving from elementary to middle/junior high to high school and high school to college

  3. Most commonly abused . . . • Tobacco • Alcohol • Inhalants • Marijuana • Prescription Drugs – sleeping pills & antianxiety

  4. Another risky “high” . . . • The “choking game” where students choke themselves or each other for a brief “high”! • Most at risk ages 9-16 years • Check out the following website: • http://www.gaspinfo.com The following story from the AJC tells more about this deadly “game”: http://www.ajc.com/news/sons-death-puts-mom-1311445.html

  5. Risk Factors for Drug Use • Lacking Self-Respect • Being unable to express emotions in healthy ways • Having friends who use/abuse drugs • Being unable to delay gratification • Having access to drugs • Being rejected by peers

  6. 7. Having a biological family member who is drug dependent • Having difficult family relationships • Having role models who use drugs • Using drugs early in life • Doing poorly in school or having a learning disability • Being uninvolved in school activities or athletics • Lacking respect for authority and laws (Meeks, 2011)

  7. Protective Factors: • Having self-respect • Practicing resistance skills • Having friends who do not misuse and abuse drugs • Being able to delay gratification • Being resilient, even when living in an adverse environment • Having positive social skills

  8. 7. Having a set of goals and plans to reach them 8. Having healthful family relationships 9. Having a positive role model 10. Having stress management skills 11. Having anger management skills 12. Being involved in school activities and/or athletics 13. Having respect for authority and laws (Meeks, 2011)

  9. Resistance Skills: • Say “NO” with self-confidence. • Give reasons for saying “NO”. • Use the broken-record techniques. • Match what words to actions. • Avoid being in pressure situations. • Avoid being with people who use drugs. • Resist pressure to engage in illegal behaviors. • Influence others to choose responsible behavior. (Meeks, 2011)

  10. Critical reminder: • As a future educator, you have an extremely important role to play in that you demonstrate VERY RESPONSIBLE behaviors when it comes to alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use/abuse! • NEVER in the field OR as a “real world” teacher should you be under the influence of ANY substance NOR should your breath or behaviors indicate that you have been under the influence. • You are accepting a position of role modeling that you need to consider and take seriously from this point forward! • If you can’t accept this now, consider changing career directions!

  11. Websites: • From the National Institute on Drug Abuse:PreventingDrug Abuse among Children and Adolescents http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/preventing-drug-abuse-among-children-adolescents/chapter-1-risk-factors-protective-factors/what-are-risk-factors • Website for Teachers and Students regarding drug abuse from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Scholastic: http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers

  12. From Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/poll_alcohol.html?tracking=K_RelatedArticle • For the effects of Parental Substance Abuse on Children and Families: http://www.coaf.org/professionals/effects%20.htm • Interactive general substance abuse information: http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/

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