these particular preventative measures and

Adolescent Substance
campaigns are a good starting point to raise
Abuse and Preventative
awareness and inform communities,
Measures
oftentimes, this isn’t enough. Drug addiction
Proposal Newsletter
is not something that can be stopped simply
Reese Webb
by the expression of concerns and
Professor Szalay
consequences of it. An addiction is a

English 2010 chronic, relapsing disorder. In order for

prevention and recuperation of substance

April 5, 2024
misuse, solutions provided must also be
Each year, schools and communities
constant and repetitive. Through the
formulate campaigns in hopes of raising
initiation of readily available education,
awareness and preventing the underage use
acknowledgement of susceptibility, and
of substances by students and teens. These
community recovery associations,
proposed plans are oftentimes in the forms
adolescent substance abuse can be better
of posters, signs, and community posts.
managed, averted, and treated when
Sometimes, certain events will be held, such
necessary.
as school assemblies, that also encourage
Readily available help and education
community awareness of the consequences
is imperative for both parents and teens
and dangers associated with drug and
when matters of substance abuse are
alcohol misuse in adolescents. These events
encountered. Qualified counselors and
may occur around once a year and will most
professional help should be easily accessible
likely reiterate previous information most
and convenient when worries related to drug
students are already aware of. Although
and alcohol use need to be confronted. use are individual matters and should not be

These educational resources for parents and handled in a broad or universal way. The

students should be more than just flyers and same applies for education on the topic and

posters with information. The simple the specific usage that has occurred.

inscriptions of consequences and risks of Resources for students and parents should be

addiction are not powerful enough to stop specific and available in a variety of ways.

substance abuse disorder. The Alcohol and After school programs, school counseling,

Drug Abuse Division of Hawaii explains a and other directives should focus on

few strategies that they have and the individuality when providing information.

protocol for reports of underage substance Another way to increase availability would

use. “This strategy calls for identification, be through church and sport programs that

education, and counseling for those youth offer recommendations and direction. It is

who have indulged in age-inappropriate use important that awareness and consideration

of tobacco products or alcohol, or who have of correct assistance and supply of

indulged in the first use of illicit drugs. information is personalized.

Activities under this strategy would include

In addition to specified and readily
screening for tendencies toward substance
available resources, acknowledgement of
abuse and referral for preventive treatment
drug misuse is also crucial in prevention.
for curbing such tendencies” (Hawaii).
Many anti-drug campaigns are performed
Referring students to the correct and optimal
via school functions and assemblies. Too
form of help is necessary for future
often, these presentations are not translated
prevention and support for other health
to reality. It is believed that children have
risks. Issues with underage drug and alcohol
the tools and knowledge to say no to
substances. However, in many engage in and the dynamics of them.

circumstances this perception is altered. Specific substances may be used under and

“This maturational gap in development of around specific extracurriculares. “When

[prefrontal cortex]-based control relative to compared to rates of substance abuse in

more advanced motivational circuitry is said cities, rural communities have higher rates

to result in an inevitable period of risk for of alcohol and methamphetamine use, and

adolescents” (Casey). Teens and adolescents rates of abuse of other substances are on the

are not capable of making fully developed rise” (Mosel). When parents, students, and

decisions and are impulsive. This statement communities are aware of harmful

is not intended to bring down today’s youth, substances and their risks within their areas,

but rather help them and allow for the prevention will be increased.

recognition of indisputable, psychological

School services related to help with
facts. This needs to be taken into
drug abuse and addiction are great
consideration when information about
resources. In hindsight, community
saying no to drugs and alcohol is introduced.
resources should also be available for
This issue needs to be taken beyond saying
circumstances that may not directly correlate
no and address circumstances
with education. Recovery should be assisted
psychologically related to decision making.
by schools, in the home, and with medical
Understanding and acknowledging that all
and psychological professionals.
students are susceptible to substance abuse
Considering there are already many great
and addiction must be taken into account by
associations whose purpose is to help with
schools, communities, and parents. Be aware
adolescent substance abuse, the degree to
of adolescents' activities in which they
which they are available should be
increased. It can already be overwhelming be financially unavailable for many. While

for an adolescent to be dealing with many school resources can be inexpensive,

substance misuse. The overwhelming factor oftentimes addiction requires further and

or finding reasonable and beneficial help continuous treatment. Funding organizations

should not accompany this already similar to addiction and substance

challenging matter. “Well-known centers prevention would be much more valuable

often cost up to $20,000 for a 30-day for communities as opposed to nonessential

program. For those requiring 60- or 90-day attractions and corporations. As a society,

programs, the total average of costs could contributions towards the cause of

range anywhere from $12,000 to $60,000” supporting and empowering youth will

(Hampton). It is completely unreasonable greatly strengthen it. Focus should be

for the cost of recovery to amount to such emphasized on programs that will build

costs. Those who struggle with addiction communities and strengthen its future.

also typically struggle financially. It is

All in all, it is necessary for
imperative that the costs of assistance and
communities to provide individualized
recovery become more available and
education, acknowledge adolescent
accessible. Addiction and substance abuse
development, and for the provision of
only continues to be a financial burden as it
accessible recovery and support in order to
continues on. Greater access to behavioral
prevent and manage underage drug and
healthcare will help to reduce future
alcohol use. With acknowledgement and
addictions, homelessness, health conditions,
push for improvement, it is indeed possible
and much more when provided early on.
for changes to be implemented.
Rehab and treatment can be very costly and
 Works Cited

Casey BJ, Getz S, Galvan A. “The Adolescent Brain.” Developmental Neuropsychology. 2008;

28 (11):62–77. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2500212/. Accessed 9

Apr, 2024.

Hampton, David. “Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab.” Addiction Center- Your Guide for

Addiction and Recovery. 2024. “https://www.addictioncenter.com/rehab-questions/cost

-of-drug-and-alcohol-treatment/#:~:text=Well%2Dknown%20centers%20often%20cost,

nywhere%20from%20%2412%2C000%20to%20%2460%2C000.&text=Outpatient%20

rograms%20for%20mild%20to,for%20a%20tree%2 Month%20program. Accessed 9

Apr, 2024.

Mosel, Stacy. “Substance Abuse in Rural Communities and Small Towns.” American Addiction

Centers. 7 Feb, 2024. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/rural-small

-town#. Accessed 9 Apr, 2024.

State of Hawaii, Department of Health. “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention.” Hawaii.gov,

2023,.https://health.hawaii.gov/substance-abuse/prevention-treatment/prevention/preventi

on-strategy/. Accessed 9 Apr, 2024.