Troubled Teens Resources

Private boarding schools, brat camps and schools for troubled teens can probably all take a bit of credit for the recently released optimistic report on teen age drug abuse. They, along with thousands of community led efforts across America have been waging a seemingly endless battle to protect teens at risk for addiction, pregnancies, academic failure and criminal behavior. The report, issued in December, goes over the latest statistics from the “drug czars”.

“There has been a substance abuse sea change among American teens,” said John P. Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy. “They are getting the message that dangerous drugs damage their lives and limit their futures. We know that if people don’t start using drugs during their teen years, they are very unlikely to go on to develop drug problems later in life. That’s why this sharp decline in teen drug use is such important news: It means that there will be less addiction, less suffering, less crime, lower health costs, and higher achievement for this upcoming generation of Americans.”

Keep up the good work, but don’t let up. There are active online campaigns to keep your teen tempted. A teenager is quoted as admonishing parents for not keeping up-to-date on the latest pro-drug propaganda throughout the web. It is a wise caution to heed.

“Teens report that their parents seldom stay current with the threats posed by pro-drug sources of misinformation, such as Internet content that normalizes and trivializes drug use. Parents need to keep talking to their kids about the dangers of drug use and stay on top of current technologies that could pose additional risks to their teens’ health and safety.”

(Source)