Adolescent substance abuse outreach programs provide a valuable resource to help prevent teen drug use. These programs can significantly help all teens, especially at-risk youth, by providing education, support, and resources. As we explore these outreach programs, we’ll look at how they can help prevent teens from getting on a dangerous path. You’ll also learn how Ember Recovery helps teens who need help recovering from a substance abuse disorder.
The Importance of Adolescent Substance Abuse Outreach Programs for At-Risk Teens
Outreach programs are important for all teens, but they take on a significant role for at-risk teens because of their unique challenges. These can include [1]:
- Poverty
- Child abuse or neglect
- Lack of parental supervision
- Easy access to drugs
- Undiagnosed mental health problems
These risk factors can increase the likelihood of a teen developing a substance use problem, further stressing the need for outreach programs.
At-risk youth may also not have parents or guardians at home who can supervise them or provide a sounding board when trouble arises. Teens may turn to unreliable sources when no one is around to talk to or answer questions. Adults and peers in outreach programs can offer support and guidance and ultimately can make a difference.
Education and Outreach Programs
Outreach programs can do an excellent job of educating teens about the dangers of drugs. Many local and federal programs offer this type of service.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is just one resource that aims to give teens the tools they need to make informed decisions. [2] The DEA utilizes an outreach strategy that can benefit many teens. It focuses on three major concepts of drug use prevention research. These facts include:
- Educating teens that the brain continues to develop to age 25. This means teens who use drugs impact their brain development. Drug use affects the frontal cortex, which is responsible for thinking, decision-making, and judgment. This is why it’s essential to refrain from drug use during the teen years.
- When young people perceive drug use as risky, drug use declines dramatically.
- The longer youth can delay drug use, addiction and substance use disorders are significantly reduced.
Getting these messages out is essential for helping teens steer clear of drugs. Other education and outreach programs, such as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), aim to teach children how to make healthy decisions that don’t involve drugs and alcohol. [3] Officer-led classroom lessons are one example of how D.A.R.E works to educate youth about the dangers of drugs. The program also addresses the risks teens face, such as drugs, suicide, media safety, and vaping.
Another program that has proven to be beneficial is Too Good for Drugs. This universal K-12 prevention education program is designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use.
Too Good for Drugs is known for its five essential character development skills that aim to build efficacy, promote healthy development, and help kids succeed academically. These skills are:
- Learning how to set reachable goals
- Making responsible decisions
- Bonding with others who are pro-social
- Identifying & managing emotions
- Communicating effectively
These types of programs prove to be vital in educating teens about the dangers of drugs. Stressing the fact that knowledge is key can empower teens to make good choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol.
Outreach Programs and Early Intervention
Outreach programs can also provide the early intervention crucial when discussing drug use with teens. Many times, teens start experimenting with drugs, not realizing how addicting they become. By the time they recognize the dangers, it may be too late.
Adolescent substance abuse outreach programs can give teens the tools to avoid experimenting with drugs and getting on a dangerous path. This early intervention is especially needed for at-risk youth who may lack parental guidance to prevent drug use.
Peer Support in Outreach Groups
Adolescent substance abuse outreach programs can also include peers. Peer support and mentoring can be a vital part of the prevention process. By hearing stories from peers who have had a substance abuse problem, teens can hear first-hand about the trouble drugs can cause. These mentors aim to educate teens about the dangers of drugs and encourage them to make better choices.
Teens can likely relate to their peers better and find it easier to ask questions and open up. Knowing there is someone there for them to talk to can be especially beneficial for at-risk teens who may not have positive peer role models.
Community Involvement & Adolescent Abuse Outreach Programs
Community involvement can also play an instrumental role in adolescent abuse outreach programs. Schools, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies can work together to provide programs to help teens avoid the temptations of drugs.
Look within your community and your child’s school to see available programs. Chances are you’ll find many programs that offer support and opportunities for teens to become involved and learn about the dangers of drugs.
Many teens may also take this chance to volunteer and help their community. This is how outreach programs can accomplish many goals within a community.
Let Ember Recovery Help Your Teen with Their Substance Use Disorder
If your teen is battling a substance use disorder, the team at Ember Recovery is here to help. We offer customized plans to give each teen the help they need to succeed. Our treatment plans include education programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Ember Recovery offers a safe, homelike atmosphere so teens feel comfortable during recovery. We also provide life skills training so teens can become more independent and cope when they return to their everyday lives. Call Ember Recovery today to learn more about our teen-focused programs for substance use.
Sources:
[1] https://youth.gov/youth-topics/risk-and-protective-factors [2] https://www.dea.gov/education-prevention/community-outreach [3] https://dare.org/
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.