Stopping Drug Abuse Before it Happens

Why are some kids unhappy and seem ‘down on themselves or life’?

How do drugs and alcohol abuse fit into a youth’s life?

Why do kids turn to drugs and alcohol abuse as a way out of life situations? And why do kids say they are stressed out?

Youth Are Taking Responsibility For Their Families’ Problems

Young kids and teens have an innate sense of rightness. They know they depend on their mom and dad and other siblings to live well. When there is a perceived or real problem that isn’t resolved, kids often make it their problem.

Teenagers are trying to grow up as quick as possible in the best way they know how. They are also listening to their parents. When mom and dad say, “Don’t worry about money, we will deal with that. Just do well in school . . .” A kid may interpret that as, “I can’t help this family out financially and we have financial problems so I’m just a problem.”

Failure: Perceived or Real

Or, teens may have divorced themselves from being a part of the family after someone proved to them they couldn’t contribute to it. Disconnecting from the family after a real or perceived failure is quite common. They wanted to help their older brother through a problem and didn’t know how, so they feel like a failure; mom had an argument with dad about the kids so the oldest leaves home. You know?

The trick to helping kids confront and deal with these issues is by already having established an open and free flowing line of communication back and forth.  Absolving kids of their inherent responsibility is not a good solution. It’s better to prepare that teen for life and living so they can:

1. Stand up to or confront the issue and the consequences of it
2. Help resolve that issue by contributing to bettering the situation, not by being invisible or disappearing
3. Contribute long lasting happiness and success to the family through accomplishment and development of strong character

All these actions will require encouragement and support of a sensible and sensitive parent who is present in the lives of their kids.

Tibor A. Palatinus

PS to get effective information on what kids want and need to know about drugs and alcohol so stay away from them, go to Drug Prevention Videos by Narconon.