Scared for Our Kids: Rise in Youth Substance Abuse Numbers Concern New England Parents
Substance abuse and addiction issues
exist all around the world, and New
England has certainly never been exempt from such trends. However, the law
enforcement employed within New England
states have been increasingly overwhelmed by rising numbers of substance abuse related crimes and incidents. Substance
abuse issues exist in all populations, but has become especially prevalent in youth.
In his state of address last week, Maine Republican Governor Paul LePage stated, “We must confront
a troubling epidemic. It’s tearing at the social fabric of our communities. We
are losing the war on drugs.”
Lepage requested the addition of an additional fourteen drug
enforcement agents to the team of thirty two, four drug prosecutors and four
judges to serve exclusively in special drug courts.
On the New Hampshire front, law enforcement has expressed that the
largest issue they are facing is Heroin.
According to The Associated Press, at least 61 people died of Heroin overdoses in New Hampshire in 2013, compared with 38
the previous year.
In a New Hampshire
State address, Hassan stated, “New
Hampshire has among the highest rates in the country of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence
but ranks at the bottom in accessing treatment. We must focus on improving
access to treatment for all substances, especially among our young people.”
So what does this increase in substance
abuse trends and larger supplies of dangerous illegal drugs mean for New
England families? Parents are
worried about their kids. And they should be.
“I am
worried about my child experimenting with drugs and alcohol or have suspicions
that abuse is already occurring. What can I do to stop this?”
According to The National
Crime Prevention Council, the main reason that kids do not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs is because of their parents. Here are some ways in which
parents can work to prevent youth
substance abuse:
Ø
Bring back
family dinner-Americans are busy
people, (sports, activities, homework, work, you name it…). However, research
shows that parents sitting down to eat with their children at least a few times
a week serves as a means to facilitate stronger relationships and effective
communication.
Ø
Ask
quality questions- Most parents have asked their child a question only to
be given a one word answer. Practice asking your child quality questions, open
ended questions in which a one word or yes or no answer will not suffice.
Ø
Listen
with a non-judgmental ear- If your child approaches you with something or
answers a question in an unexpected way, practice responding non-judgmentally.
Focus on the fact that your child felt comfortable coming to you and recognize
the importance of maintaining an open line of communication.
Ø
Know your
child’s friends- Peer influences are a large indicator of whether or not
your child will experiment with drugs
and alcohol. Always know where your
children are, what your children are doing and with whom they are with.
Where Should You Turn if You or Your Child are
Suffering from Addiction?
Self-Empowerment NH, LLC specializes in
working with families suffering from substance
abuse issues and has supported a number of individuals whom suffer from
even the most severe of addictions.
Through both individual counseling and family counseling; Selfempnh is here to serve as an empathetic, confidential and
non-judgmental support system.
For more information
about counseling and group services and/or presentations regarding Substance
Abuse in Youth and in the Workplace, please contact Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC at
(603)470-6937
(603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.
(603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.
You are not
alone. Open the door to self-empowerment.
Open the door to a better tomorrow.
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