Drug Prevention amd Awareness
Kiera Chaney
Mr. Riley
English IV
6 March 2014
The Positive Effects of Drug Awareness The temptation to use drugs and alcohol is seen in social media and advertisements every day. Television, commercials, billboards, and movies bombard the teenage consumer. Although these factors can be seen in the home, the prevention of using these substances can be taught at home as well. “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child” (George Santayana). In other words, what a child is taught at home will reflect in the decisions they will make in life and what path they will go down later on in life. Yet, if nothing is taught at home they may jeopardize future opportunities like having a career and prospering well in life. Teaching children early on in life about drugs and alcohol prevention can have a better impact on adolescents making positive decisions. It has been shown that the first time use of alcohol and drugs occurs during middle and high school grades. This idea stems from the lack of guidance and awareness children are given at home about these issues. Young adults and children who have participated in drug prevention programs like D.A.R.E, in elementary and middle school have reduced the misuse of drugs and alcohol by sixty-five percent because of their initial knowledge of drugs and alcohol at home. Some points that support this idea are peer pressure, the consequences of drug and alcohol use, and the positive effects of drug and alcohol prevention being taught at home. What causes the curiosity and temptation of using drugs and alcohol of children? It is safe to say that peer pressure plays the biggest role. The people that a person may come in contact with such as siblings, classmates, teammates and friends impact ones opinions about what is wrong and what is right. Our peers influence the way we act thing and make decisions when in social setting that may lead to substance use. Peer pressure is something everyone has to face at some point
Mr. Riley
English IV
6 March 2014
The Positive Effects of Drug Awareness The temptation to use drugs and alcohol is seen in social media and advertisements every day. Television, commercials, billboards, and movies bombard the teenage consumer. Although these factors can be seen in the home, the prevention of using these substances can be taught at home as well. “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child” (George Santayana). In other words, what a child is taught at home will reflect in the decisions they will make in life and what path they will go down later on in life. Yet, if nothing is taught at home they may jeopardize future opportunities like having a career and prospering well in life. Teaching children early on in life about drugs and alcohol prevention can have a better impact on adolescents making positive decisions. It has been shown that the first time use of alcohol and drugs occurs during middle and high school grades. This idea stems from the lack of guidance and awareness children are given at home about these issues. Young adults and children who have participated in drug prevention programs like D.A.R.E, in elementary and middle school have reduced the misuse of drugs and alcohol by sixty-five percent because of their initial knowledge of drugs and alcohol at home. Some points that support this idea are peer pressure, the consequences of drug and alcohol use, and the positive effects of drug and alcohol prevention being taught at home. What causes the curiosity and temptation of using drugs and alcohol of children? It is safe to say that peer pressure plays the biggest role. The people that a person may come in contact with such as siblings, classmates, teammates and friends impact ones opinions about what is wrong and what is right. Our peers influence the way we act thing and make decisions when in social setting that may lead to substance use. Peer pressure is something everyone has to face at some point
Cited: Alston, Frances K. "Latch Key Children." Education.com. NYU Child Study Center, 09 July 2010. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. "Consequences of Youth Substance Abuse." Consequences of Youth Substance Abuse. Www.ojdp.gov, May 1998. Web. 04 Mar. 2014 "George Santayana Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. Ginott, Haim. Trans.Quote Factory.Quotefactory.com, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014 "Peer Pressure." StudyMode. Studymode.com, Mar. 2012. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. "Preventing Adolescent Substance Abuse." Substance Abuse Prevention. Hazelden, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014.