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Drug Abuse

Tips, information, and publications aimed at preventing substance abuse

The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is the major health problem facing our nation’s youth, as it can quickly lead to addiction, associated chronic diseases, failure at school, and delinquency.

A 2001 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that one in five 12- to 17-year-olds had used marijuana - which is continually cultivated to be more potent than ever - at some time. In 2001, about one in nine in this age group had used an illegal drug in the past month. Almost half of those who smoked cigarettes in the past month had also used illegal drugs. According to another SAMHSA study the same year, only one in 20 teens who did not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol had used illegal drugs.

As a result, there’s every reason to believe that early education and intervention can keep kids on track.

Information about Drug Abuse

How Parents Can Prevent Drug Abuse
Research shows that the main reason that kids don't use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is because of their parents

Girls and Drug Abuse
Tips for parents on dealing with girls and drug abuse

Inhalant Abuse
Information for identifying and preventing inhalant abuse

Strategies
Techniques that adults can use to prevent drug abuse by youth

Publications and Products on Drug Abuse

Positive Change Through Policy
This online guide features examples of policies that create safer communities

Downloadable Resources on Drug Abuse

Title Description Size
File Dangers of Drinking Reproducible brochure with facts and advice about alcohol for teenagers 4.5 MB
File Don't Go Up In Smoke Reproducible handout that identifies the risks of smoking for teenagers 335.5 kB
File Don't Lose a Friend to Drugs Reproducible brochure for teenagers on preventing drug abuse by their peers 746.1 kB
File Drugs are Bad A cartoon strip about educating your children about drugs 199.6 kB
File Dying To Drink? The Hard Facts Informative brochure with facts about alcohol-related accidents for young adults 66.8 kB
File Has boredom set in? Studies getting you down? IT'S PARTY TIME! Reproducible brochure with ideas for celebrating safely on campus 348.1 kB
File Marijuana: Common, Dangerous, and Still Illegal Reproducible handout on the facts regarding marijuana use and consequences for teenagers 341.7 kB
File Methamphetamine Abuse and Clandestine Laboratories This presentation covers the history of meth; what meth is; what meth looks like; street names; signs, symptoms, and methods of use; side effects of meth abuse;... 11.4 MB
File Methamphetamine: Nothing to Rave About Reproducible brochure about the harmful effects of methamphetamines 26.5 kB
File Normal Kids A cartoon strip that shows normal kids don't use drugs. 212.4 kB
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