October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

October is the first National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth will be providing information to the community regarding underage drinking and marijuana use and its effects on our youth, families and community. We will also provide information on what YOU can do, to help support, understand and build a stronger, healthier community.

What are the early signs of risk that may predict later drug abuse?

Some signs of risk can be seen in early childhood, such as aggressive behavior, lack of self-control as well as difficult temperaments.   As a child gets older, interactions with their family, interactions with school and within the community can affect a child’s risk for later drug abuse.

A child’s earliest interaction occurs in the family; sometimes family situations can heighten a child’s risk for later drug. For example, when there is:

• A lack of attachment and nurturing by parents or caregivers;
• Ineffective parenting; and
• A caregiver who abuses drugs.

However, families can provide protection from later drug abuse when there is:

• A strong bond between the child and parents/caregivers
• Parental involvement in the child’s life; and
• Clear limits and consistent enforcement of discipline.

Interactions outside the family can involve risks for both children and adolescents, such as:

• Poor classroom behavior or social skills;
• Academic failure; and
• Association with drug-abusing peers.

In fact, association with drug-abusing peers is often the most immediate risk for exposing adolescents to drug abuse and delinquent behavior.

Other factors, such as drug availability, trafficking patterns in your community and beliefs that drug abuse is generally tolerated, are risks which can influence young people to start abusing drugs.

Here is more information regarding National Prevention Month.

The Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth’s mission is to positively impact the well-being of Novato youth through community action, policy advocacy and education. This shall be accomplished by: 1. Reducing alcohol and marijuana use, and 2. Reducing incidences of bullying.

For more information, please contact Nikki Buckstead at 415-798-5329 or nikki@novatoblueribbon.org