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!• 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

Most commonly abused . . .

• Tobacco•Alcohol• Inhalants•Marijuana•Prescription Drugs – sleeping pills &

antianxiety

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

Risk Factors for Drug Use1. Lacking Self-Respect2. Being unable to express emotions in

healthy ways3. Having friends who use/abuse drugs4. Being unable to delay gratification5. Having access to drugs6. Being rejected by peers

7. Having a biological family member who is drug dependent8. Having difficult family relationships9. Having role models who use drugs10.Using drugs early in life11.Doing poorly in school or having a learning

disability12.Being uninvolved in school activities or

athletics13.Lacking respect for authority and laws(Meeks, 2011)

Protective Factors:1. Having self-respect2. Practicing resistance skills3. Having friends who do not misuse and

abuse drugs4. Being able to delay gratification5. Being resilient, even when living in an

adverse environment6. Having positive social skills

7. Having a set of goals and plans to reach them8. Having healthful family relationships9. Having a positive role model10. Having stress management skills11. Having anger management skills12. Being involved in school activities and/or athletics13. Having respect for authority and laws(Meeks, 2011)

Resistance Skills:1. Say “NO” with self-confidence.2. Give reasons for saying “NO”.3. Use the broken-record techniques.4. Match what words to actions.5. Avoid being in pressure situations.6. Avoid being with people who use drugs.7. Resist pressure to engage in illegal behaviors.8. Influence others to choose responsible

behavior.(Meeks, 2011)

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!

Websites:•From the National Institute on Drug Abuse:Preventing Drug 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

•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/