Back to school a time of new challenges for many youth when it comes to drugs

According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Youth Anti-drug media campaign, back to school signifies a time of new beginnings, new notebooks, classes and friends. It can also be a time of new challenges for many youth when it comes to drugs.

The Internet website www.TheAntiDrug.com published a report that said every day, approximately 4,700 American youth ages 12-17 try marijuana for their first time.

Other troubling facts that show that the dangerous drug known as methamphetamines or "the devil's drug," is still on the rise nationally and continues to be a serious problem according to a National Association of Counties survey done in June, 2006.

The issues surrounding teens and drug abuse can be vary scary for parents, but there are resources available locally and via the information superhighway that are designed to help parents keep their kids drug-free and spread a positive message throughout schools and the community.

Research shows that parental involvement in supervised activities during the school year may actually lower a youth or teen's risk of using marijuana and other illegal and dangerous drugs.

According to the National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health, youth and teens who participated in two or more activities in the past year were 40 percent less likely to have used an illicit drug in the past month as other teens.

Other research indicates that if a parent watches for warning signs of drug use by his child, he is more likely to prevent or stop the abuse early on reducing the risk of addiction.

The Anti-drug campaign offers many suggestions and how-to guides for parents looking for warning signs. A free brochure called "A How-to Guide for Parents and Caregivers," is available free to parents by calling (800) 788-2800.

Some of the warning signs for parents included in the pamphlet and on the website include being aware of how a child is performing in the classroom. The institution recommends looking for struggles and conflicts as a warning sign that something is different with a child.

Experts say that students with an average grade of "D" or lower were more than four times likely to have used marijuana in the past year as youths who reported an "A" as their average grade. They also say that parents should know that youth who have expressed a negative attitude toward school and their education are two and one half more likely to have used in the past year than kids who show positive attitudes about school.

Other warning signs may include, acting distant from family or friends, hanging out with a different crowd, lack of interest in the way they look or dress, disassociation with activities that they had previously been involved in, irritability, lack of respect for authority or typical family and school rules, decrease in motivation including noticeable changes in eating and sleeping habits.

Though all of the information can be overwhelming, parents should not be too discouraged; there are ways to make a difference in their childrens' decision to be drug-free.

Family Counseling Center, Inc., of Kennett sports a catchy and positive slogan that says, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." It also published an article of interest for parents in 2005 called, "Do Your Homework for a Drug-Free School Year."

The focus of the publication was to assist parents in getting smart about the drug risks associated with teens going back to school.

Family Counseling Center (FCC) recommended that parents "do their homework" when it came to drug abuse, encouraging them to be aware of school challenges facing teens that may lead to drug use, to get to know the friends their teens were hanging out with, and to help teens reject peer pressure.

One of the first things parents should absolutely do to reduce the risk, according to FCC, is get involved. The counseling center believes that while many parents are extremely involved with their kids in terms of extracurricular activities such as sports, many parents are uncertain of where to start with getting involved with their child in the most effective way.

FCC recommends parents getting involved in a number of ways like by coaching, chaperoning, reading to children, driving or providing transportation to events, camp counseling, teaching, mentoring, assisting with homework and school-based activities, helping at special events, starting a youth league or organization, or simply taking your teen to the movies or a ballgame.

Research indicates that all of these activities can actually curb early drug use by youth.

FCC's report also found that parents can make a difference by starting or getting involved in a public coalition or local partnership between parents, teachers, youth, law enforcement, the faith community, health providers, elected officials, and other citizens equally concerned with the effects of illegal drugs in the lives of their children and community.

By connecting multiple sectors of the community, parents are strategically coordinating a collaboration of individuals who can ultimately reduce substance abuse and drug-related problems in their area, according to FCC.

The major thing that nearly every anti-drug endorsing individual or company believes and supports is the theory that parents set the lasting example.

Many experts agree that whether or not parents realize it, they are the major example in their child's life. Before they can help their children address the heavy issues like drug use, they must examine their own relationship with substances and ask themselves if they are setting good examples.

Research shows that one in four youth under the age of 18 lives in a family where a person abuses alcohol or suffers from alcoholism and that children whose parents abuse alcohol or drugs are nearly three times more likely to be verbally, physically, or sexually abused and four times more likely to be neglected. Children of abusers are also four times more likely, according to statistical research, to develop alcoholism or other drug problems.

To know where to start on setting an example or how to deal with mis-use of alcohol or drugs call Family Counseling Center at (573) 888-5925.

For more information on being involved in the life of a youth and learning more about the risks involved with drug use by youth and teens visit the Parents, The Anti-Drug Website or call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 for free information and useful materials.