(This article will focus on preventing children from becoming addicted to drugs and other substances of abuse).
Many millions are under the spell of addiction and the number of addicts has reached epidemic proportions. More than twenty-five million individuals have been treated at rehabilitation centers; most of them more than once. Unfortunately, the cure rate of addiction is nowhere near what experts have predicted. Every year approximately eighty thousand addicts die of drug overdose or related causes.
Parents, educators, as well as religious leaders must work together to give children the strength and knowledge of how to avoid situations of harm, such as addiction. Psychologists have demonstrated that a young child is more readily receptive to accepting new ideas. Drug education can be started as early as six years of age. Children must learn how to analyze what to do in any type of situation and, by inductive reasoning, arrive at the best possible solutions. Students should be required to discuss problems and conclude the correct ways of handling them. This teaching technique has been shown to be most beneficial in preparing children for the future.
The human body is a marvelous, complicated and awe-inspiring machine. Children must be made to understand that their bodies are very precious and that it is important that they keep their bodies in the best possible shape. People owe this not only to themselves to assure optimum health, but also to all of those who love and depend on them.
Addicting substances, such as narcotics, alcohol, tobacco and so forth are not only dangerous to the user, but also to those whom they come in close contact. Second-hand tobacco smoke has been documented to cause lung cancers and other pulmonary diseases in those in close proximity to heavy smokers. Alcohol, tobacco, as well as some addicting drugs, can affect the fetus in the uterus. During the early stages of pregnancy, these substances may alter fetal genes, lead to major deformities, cause brain dysfunction or even death.
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There are many reasons why people turn to addicting substances. Disappointment, pain, rejection, depression and peer pressure are just a few of the major factors that can lead an individual into the trap of substance abuse.
Everyone is born with defense mechanisms. Some individuals have stronger defenses than others. But it is very important that all believe in themselves, believe that they are important, believe they can achieve and believe that they can overcome hardships. Parents, grandparents, educators, religious leaders and all who come in contact with children should all do their utmost to make children feel confident and secure about themselves. Children who are loners, insecure and constantly exposed to adults who intimidate them are prime candidates to fall under the spell of addiction.
Ideally, children should be given the opportunity to discuss all situations of harm and learn how to best arrive at optimum solutions. A monthly meeting serves as neutral grounds for everyone to be able to speak their thoughts freely and not feel intimidated. The members of the meeting may consist of family members, students in secular or religious schools or even children in a social organization,such as Boys and Girl Clubs.
The leader of a meeting can be a parent, an educator, a social group instructor or even an older adolescent. When discussing addicting drugs, substances are identified by their street names, where they are produced, how they are obtained and the dangers that they pose. The children, if old enough, should do research prior to the meeting and present their findings. Children should be the major contributors in the meeting; adults giving insights only when indicated to arrive at best possible solutions.
A free 200 page e-book, Preparing Children for the Future, can be used as a guide. For example, analyzing addiction, a group would consult the book’s index. The appropriate paragraphs would then be read and discussed. All in the group would express their opinions and under the guidance of the leader would arrive at optimum ways of handling the problem. Instructions for obtaining a free e-book are described at the conclusion of this article.
The facets of addiction should be discussed not once, but many times over the ensuing years. By the time children reach early adolescence and realize the consequences of drug effects, they will have knowledge of knowing, as well as the will, to not engage in drug participation.
If giving important information to our children saves anyone from addiction, then the art of parenting will have taken an important step forward and will place our children on the path of achieving a successful and rewarding life.
A free electronic copy of the book, Preparing Children for the Future can be obtained by making a request on the e-mail address, “AskDrMel@yahoo.com”. A hard copy of the book with the same title is available on Amazon.com.
Podcasts of Preparing Children for the Future can be located on Anchor, Public Radio, Spotify, Breaker and other internet podcast sites.
Melvin S. Rosh trained at Cornell Weill Medical School and practiced pediatrics for over half a century. He is the recipient of medical awards and the author of medical and lay articles, under the byline, “Ask Dr Mel”. He is President of a non-profit corporation, Rewarding Life, Inc, whose mission is to protect children from danger.