Peer coercion, social media influence and the desire to fit in with the “cool” crowd puts immense pressure on kids.
They’re at a stage where they struggle to discover their identities and form their own opinions. Outside forces only further exacerbate the need to conform. Throw drugs and alcohol into the mix and it’s a powder keg waiting to explode.
Drug abuse in the U.S. remains at crisis levels, particularly among teenagers. Despite reported drug use continuing to be below pre-pandemic levels, overdose death rates are rising.
Statista says cannabis and alcohol are the most illicit drugs consumed among adolescents. About 73% of 12th graders said marijuana was fairly easy to obtain, whereas 17% noted the same about cocaine.
Even though fewer teens have access to cocaine than marijuana, the consequences can be devastating. Once dependency develops, the recovery journey often involves difficult steps like cocaine detox, behavioral therapy, and ongoing support groups, underscoring why prevention at the earliest stages is so critical.
D.A.R.E. to say “No”
When Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) was enforced at middle and high schools across the U.S. in the 1980s, the program encouraged kids to “just say no” to drugs and alcohol and urged total abstinence.
That was more than five decades before the introduction of the internet and information wasn’t readily available at the touch of a button. Now that children can access knowledge, they wield it to their will.
The stats paint an alarming picture that (D.A.R.E.) is no longer effective as a preventative solution to substance abuse among teens. The American Psychological Association (APA) says the campaign no longer works and doesn’t resonate with teens.
So, what are the other alternatives?
Intervention Strategies
Counselors and social workers are the best equipped to treat substance abuse among teens. Often, counselors are recovering addicts and have first-hand experience. It makes them more relatable and able to empathize with kids going through the motions.
Licensed clinical social workers use evidence-based methods and recognize the link between trauma, mental health and addiction, explains the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
They are vital to addressing substance abuse in the school system by encouraging parents, students, and school staff to support youth experiencing mental health struggles. Social workers also introduce students to continued education opportunities while completing substance use treatments.
Advocating for Mental Health
Substance abuse counselors are qualified clinical social workers. Their field of expertise includes integrating theory and evidence-based practice.
The study pathway to gaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can be done via an online MSW program or traditional campus-based degree.
An MSW advanced standing online gives advanced standing students the advantage of fast-tracking their degree program. Some online MSW programs focus on assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness and experiential learning.
The only requisite is that students already have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). The coursework is done 100% online and five semesters can be completed in 1.7 years.
Keuka College advises students to enroll in a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Removing the Stigma
Children are told drugs and alcohol are bad for them and that’s where the conversation stops. It’s not spoken about again until a parent realizes their kid is using or abusing a substance.
But what if we changed the narrative? What if we removed the taboo around drugs and alcohol so that children can ask about it?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) found that kids who avoid regular substance use are more likely to succeed in school. Essentially, this translates to the longer we can keep them away from substance use, the chances of them having a fuller life.
Teen Substance Use Declining, But…
The good news is there’s been a “promising” decline in substance use among high school students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The bad news? Schools are struggling to curb substance abuse, affecting memory, learning and attention span.
While substance abuse isn’t new, the drugs students experiment with are becoming more dangerous, Darrell Sampson from Arlington public schools in Virginia tells Education Week.
Adding fuel to the fire is the rising rates of teen overdose deaths as previously mentioned. The fatalities are linked to the increase in illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
To circumvent the problem, Arlington schools are taking cumulative action. Sampson says students in grades 6 to 10 are studying substance abuse as part of their health curriculum. The program is also being expanded to include grades 5 and 6.
The school district has additionally implemented substance abuse counseling. These counselors meet with students to explore the reasons for their substance use.
Ending on a High (Low)
The message is clear – stakeholders and schools should be investigating new ways of teen substance abuse prevention.
Outdated programs no longer work. It’s time to go back to the drawing board.
