Prevention of drug addiction-The Central Role of Parents

As parents we have a duty to protect our children from drug use and addiction. Impact on them positively

If you have been with me on this link for the last few months, you must have read much about drug addiction at all levels and by all social class of people. The seriousness of this problem in our general society has made me to remain consistent on it for you and me to have all-round information at your disposal so that together we can make a difference in our neighborhood. In the same spirit for the purpose of this article I will be discussing what you can do as a parent to contribute positively in curbing this giant called addiction. Stay onboard and keep reading to get your hints and contribute positively.

The holy book state that spear the rod and spoil the child a statement that has sparked great debate on its suitability in this generation of laws of assault and molestation. Anyway that is a topic for another day. The parents are the first people our children get to know and interact with. This interaction does not just start at birth but at conception meaning what a mother does before and after pregnancy is very important in this journey of preventing drug addiction. The role of a parent begin from the beginning and ends at death of the parent. It is important for people intending to become parents to disassociate themselves from any kind of drug use and keep distance from the places associated with drugs whether they are legally allowed drugs or otherwise. In doing this the expected children will find an environment free from drugs to live in thereby introducing their tender minds to sobriety healthy living.

Having laid this drug free environment, parents must ensure that children are consistently taught about the about the consequences of drug use and addiction at all levels of their lives. Impacting this knowledge to them at tender ages of below 12 years will make them grow to be responsible people in the society and resist the temptation and influence that may come from peer pressure and adolescence stage. It is during this period of time that the parents are still having influence over their children and normally children in this age group normally condemn drug use. Such attitudes and attendant behavior are easily reinforced by involved parents. Parents, who wait to guide their children away from drugs until older ages when youngsters are more readily influenced by peers or may have started using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, decrease their ability to positively influence children.

Prevention of drug addiction-Parental example

Parents must show strong leadership skills to their children especially during adolescent because this is a danger stage in the upbringing of the children. Any mistake done at this level will not be forgotten and will remain to haunt them for a very long time. Children whose parents abuse alcohol or other drugs face heightened risks of developing substance-abuse problems themselves. Today we have millions of such children under age eighteen globally receiving conflicting and confusing messages about drug abuse simply because the most immediate people to give the right direction are themselves lost in substance abuse.

Teachers, coaches, youth workers in all areas of life from faith communities to scouts, and extended family members who are also in their own rights are parents must also provide youth with important protection from drug abuse and support for positive parental training by modeling, teaching, and reinforcing positive behavior. Such occasional professionals are vital in touching the lives of children from chemically dependent families. Adult addiction can have a devastating impact on children. By taking small steps, adult mentors can make a permanent difference in the course of a child’s life.

Prevention of drug addiction-Media Campaign

This is another perfect tool that can be used to help in the prevention of substance abuse. It is true that the media have come to play an increasingly important role in public health campaigns due to their wide reach and ability to influence behavior. There is significant evidence that carefully planned mass media campaigns can reduce substance abuse by countering false perceptions that drug use is normative and influencing personal beliefs that motivate drug use. Media campaigns have been used to prevent or reduce consumption of illegal drugs and smoking along with risky behavior like driving under the influence of alcohol or without seat belts. For all their power to inform and persuade, the media alone are unlikely to bring about large, sustained changes in drug use. The anti-drug campaign will be truly successful only if media efforts are coordinated with initiatives that reinforce one another in homes, schools, and communities bringing the services of parents to full play.

The media campaign harnesses a diverse mix of television, video, radio, Internet, and other forms of new media to deliver anti-drug messages whose objectives are:

• Universal aiming at all adolescent age children, parents and primary care-givers.
• Messages and channels through which they are being delivered are tailored for specific regional, ethnic, cultural, gender, and age differences among members of the target audiences.

Prevention of drug addiction-Drug-Free Schools and Communities

The efforts of parents must be supported by the whole society for it to be successful and therefore schools where our children go must be drug free as possible. Stringent measures must be taken to those sneaking drug substances in our learning institutions to prevent other people planning the same to refrain. This is very important because it is at this age when children are at high risk of being in the company of bad characters who can be of bad influence to them. The school bus driver must be one who does not use any drug not to mention the teachers and school clerical staff. All these efforts are being undertaken to keep our children away from drugs but they may not mean that they will be effective 100 percent that is why despite all these it is still recommended that when one is affected directly or indirectly they need to seek the services of trained experts for proper treatment.

As a parent if you are struggling with this problem you may not be of any help to your children and in fact you are introducing them to drugs which am sure you don’t want to continue. All you need is medical help from the line expert. Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is an expert you are looking for, she is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Your condition is safe in her care. Together her team of experts you will be attended to with high professionalism that you deserve and you and your children will have a reason to live again and enjoy life to the fullest.

Prevention of drug addiction-The Central Role of Parents