Today we are facing an ever growing populous of undereducated teenagers. Perhaps not undereducated in the sense that they have dropped out of school. But undereducated in the area of alcohol and drug abuse. The information is out there, but there seem to be a lack of alcohol and drug abuse classes that are correctly structured for the appropriate age groups.
At the approximate age of eleven, kids are subjected to the DARE or Drug Abuse Resistance Education program which introduces them to a good abundance of information on drug and alcohol abuse. This program is a positive way to begin an education on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. But in order to be effective, the same type of education must continue throughout middle school and high school. Too many children have used the D.A.R.E. program as a gateway into learning which drugs and alcohol they would like to try. While this program may steer some kids away from drug or alcohol abuse in the beginning, if they are not required to continue an education in drug and alcohol abuse information throughout their teenage years, they run the risk of forgetting the dangers of abusing alcohol or drugs. They may then use the drug and alcohol information they gained earlier on to locate these substances and unknowingly abuse them.
Therefore middle school and high school curriculums in the U.S. should be looked at closely to determine if they include substantial classes on drug and alcohol abuse information. Young adults should be encouraged to take these classes at least once throughout their time in middle school and high school. In addition to classes on the dangers of abuse, young adults should be offered the opportunity to take classes on drug and alcohol counseling. This way they will not be bombarded with all the negativities of drugs and alcohol, but given a chance to see the opportunities involved in helping those who do have a drug or alcohol problem.
In our current society with an rapidly growing population and troubled economy, it is more important than ever to give every young adult a proper education. But budget cuts and closing schools are making that very hard. We as a whole must realize that we cannot sit back and expect big brother to fix this problem for us. We must be proactive. If you are being affected by this problem, please attend city counsel meetings and voice your concerns. Starting local is the only way to solve this problem. But also write to your congressman and propose your ideas for new ways of educating young adults with alcohol abuse info. If no one continues to voice concerns about this issue it could easily be overshadowed by other problems we are facing. But this is an issue that need to be kept on the forefront because if drug and alcohol abuse continue to rise among adolescents, it will undoubtedly cause a rise in problems our society is already facing.
Together we can make a difference in giving the kids of our nation a better chance at understanding the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and it’s abuse. We will also be opening their eyes to new opportunities and ideas for helping their peers who do abuse or face addictions with alcohol. We must let these kids know they have a chance. They are not alone. And they, even at a young age, can make a difference in the lives around them by becoming educated and practicing what they learn.
Thanks for the post.
I do agree that education is the key to all of this. The DARE program is great and I’ve worked with them in the past. Reinforcing what is learned, not letting it all slip away is also important.
When I was a kid they told me that if I tried cocaine it would kill me. Fact is, it could kill anyone the first time through, but when it didn’t kill someone I knew, well, I began to believe the adults were lying.
Telling the honest truth and allowing teens to make their own educated decisions is a good way to approach it.