Relationships and Teen Substance Abuse Prevention
There is growing concern about teen drug abuse across America – concerns that are certainly valid. And while it is but appropriate for communities to come together and initiate programs that aim to prevent substance abuse, it is that which is very basic that counts a lot when it comes to teen drug abuse prevention: personal relationships.
A study published in the Journal of Business Research shared that teens are less prone to give in to negative peer influence, particularly those involving the use of tobacco and alcohol, if they have a strong and nurturing relationship with their parents, and if their parents provide them with a strong sense of self.
And how does a parent provide their child with a strong sense of self? The Washington Times’ Rebecca Hagelin suggests “setting clear expectations, providing opportunities for the child to earn increasing independence, and projecting warmth, affirmation, love and forgiveness.”
Another relationship that influences teens is that which they have with their peers. An article in Child Development, by researchers from the University of Virginia, indicated that teens are “more likely to drink, smoke, or use drugs if their friends do.” This negative influence from peers becomes even stronger when the teen is missing a warm relationship with his or her parents.
Hagelin ends with the following advice to parents: “Work hard at building and maintaining a strong, warm relationship with your teen. But pay particular attention to your teen’s friends – substance-using friends are a GPS pointing your teen in the wrong direction.”
Tags: teen drug abuse, teen peer pressure, teen substance abuse
May 4, 2012 at 10:15 amphatpooch
link
DRUG “ADDICTION PREVENTION” VIDEO
Addiction: Chaos in Vancouver
arch1 on November 11, 2011 at 3:43 am
Thanks for the feedback guys . H and C share your ideals and hopes that by highlighting your work it will bring awareness to this, as you put it, “horrendous lifestyle”. If it was left to us we would show your film at every school in Vancouver. We are firm believers in firstly focusing on prevention prorammes rather than treatment. North Americas present prevention policies (locking people in prison and so called “drugs war”) have clearly failed and wasting money. Its time for a new approach. I think there should be integration of addiction education programs within the school curriculum, beginning at primary education, run with assistance from people with your background and firsthand knowledge. Just an idea.
VANCOUVER / ADDICTION / HOMELESS / CHAOS / POVERTY
THE HARSH REALITY OF ADDICTION
The producers of this short film are both recovering addicts who have both spent time living and indulging with drug addiction in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Today they are both clean and sober with multiple years of recovery
http://arch1design.com/blog/vancouver-addiction-homelessness-poverty/
From Team Eagle: This came into our blog as a comment. We thought it so poignant and truthful, we wanted to make it available to all who are struggling with addiction.
http://www.eagleadvancementinstitute.com/
http://eagleadvancementinstitute.biz/2011/09/recovered-addict/
http://www.cocainehelp.org/Article226966.html
The video shown in the above websites is available in DVD form at request for teaching / prevention etc.contact email ppp@live