Alcohol and drug use by young people is extremely
dangerous--both to themselves and to society--and is directly associated with
traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose,
unsafe sex and other problem behaviors, even for those who may never develop a
dependence or addiction. Adolescence is a time of heightened risk-taking and as
alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are faced with a unique set of
challenges. They can simply sit back and hope their kids will “get through it,”
or they can take an active role in learning about alcohol and drugs and helping
their kids do the same.
It can be daunting to talk with children
about drinking and drug use, but it is well worth the effort parents put into
it. In fact, research has shown that kids who have conversations with their
parents and learn a lot about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are 50% less
likely to use these substances than those who don’t have such
conversations.
“Alcohol and drug use is a very risky
business for young people,” says Andrew Pucher, President and CEO of NCADD,
“and parents can make a difference. The longer children delay drinking and drug
use, the less likely they are to develop any problems associated with it.
That’s why it is so important to help your child connect the dots and make
smart decisions about alcohol and drugs.”
An integral part of Alcohol Awareness
Month is Alcohol-Free Weekend, March 31-April 2, 2017, which is designed to
raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may be affecting
individuals, families, and the community. During this seventy-two-hour period,
NCADD extends an open invitation to all Americans, young and old, to
participate in three alcohol-free days and to use this time to contact local
NCADD Affiliates and other alcoholism agencies to learn more about alcoholism
and its early symptoms.
Each April since 1987, the National
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) has sponsored Alcohol
Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma
and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related
issues. The month of April will be
filled with local, state, and national events aimed at educating people about
the treatment and prevention of alcoholism, particularly among our youth, and
the important role that parents can play in giving kids a better understanding
of the impact that alcohol can have on their lives.
For more information on Alcohol
Awareness Month or how to talk with your children about alcohol, tobacco and
other drugs please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment