Know Our Child - Prevention Starts At Home
Know Our Child - Prevention Starts At Home
Substance abuse has triggered very severe repercussions in society. The medical, social and economic consequences of substance abuse have been very destructive. It has led to the spread of infectious diseases, violent crimes, mental disorders and other grievous social issues. It has also caused disruptions in family life, education and careers. Billions of public funds are being wasted to manage and respond to the situation.
Studies have shown that the most vulnerable members of society are teenagers. Once a teenager is hooked on drugs, the destructive journey had just begun for him and everyone near to him or her. And most of the time, parents are the last people to know about it. The same scenario is being played over and over again everywhere in the world.
Powerful factors may cause children to slip into the getting high subculture. Therefore, prevention cannot be done alone. Strength in numbers and in spirit are much needed to counter the persistent flow of negative influence.
To reduce teenage tendencies towards substance abuse, parents must nip it in the bud. A network of parents would be the most effective choice. Parents can share ideas, experience as well as support each other morally. When parents pool resources and contacts in a group, it becomes easier to get experts, gain access to facilities and funds. A team effort will always produce better results than an individual.
We can label this grouping as a Parents Against Drugs movement. However, such reference is not very accurate as it reflects efforts in reducing the supply of drugs from the streets. It is very similar to what drug enforcement agencies are doing, unfortunately with poor success rate in preventing addiction. As long as teenagers still make strong demands for illicit use of drugs, there would always be supply lines. Even if illicit drugs are short in supply, children continue to trip on cheap chemicals or gases which are legally and cheaply available in the market. Prescription drugs are also fast becoming the latest favorite for teenagers.
There is a need for a better approach to solve this serious issue effectively. One consideration is to focus on the teenagers instead of the supply of addictive substances. Parents need to understand teenagers better because they are central to the problem.
Parents from a community can get together, plan and organize regular programs such as group sessions, forums, seminars or talk shows. They can invite experts to give talks on topics such as vulnerable groups, high risk behaviors, understanding addiction, telltale signs of drug use, effects of specific drugs to humans. Topics should also touch about intervention, treatment and rehabilitation. In the programs, parents can get practical advice on how to connect with their teens, which is the most crucial step in prevention.
Sessions can take place in halls, meeting rooms or any space quiet enough from distractions. Acquiring space is not difficult and can be free of charge. One way to acquire suitable facilities is to talk to officers from City Halls, school principals or business groups. Most of them would be honored to help parent groups with noble cause because many of them have children too.
This social drive can be aptly called as Know Our Child movement. The main goal is to empower parents as effective partners in preventing teenagers from substance abuse, addiction and other high risk behaviors.
Know Our Child programs should enthuse parents to look at their teenagers more closely and try to understand them. It creates awareness among parents about issues, challenges and pressures faced by teens. Parents can acquire useful tips on how to communicate with their children positively. Talking to kids about the risks of substance abuse isn't very hard when parents have the right tools.
Children who learn a lot about the risks of substance abuse from their parents are 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not. They are the lucky ones with wonderful parents, who teach them how to enjoy life without drugs.
Empowered parents help teens stay safe and make healthy choices because these parents know - Prevention Starts At Home.
Know Our Child programs are taking root in many parts of the world. In Malaysia, KNOW OUR CHILD is a campaign program developed and organized by PENGASIH. The program was well received by the general public. As a result, sponsors are coming in to support the program.
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