October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, and this month youth.gov is concentrating on the young Americans who are abusing drugs and alcohol.
Well, if that’s the case, I have a confession to make. I used to be one of those know-it-all teenagers who sat at the bar and ordered a rum and coke. It was a girl’s drug of choice back in the day. By the grace of God, I knew when to stop.
Those who need help trying to stop can find it in the many recovery treatment centers across our country–across the globe. Along with 12 Step meetings, there are countless dedicated professionals in the substance abuse field willing to walk you, the leaders of tomorrow, to a healthier lifestyle.
According to youth.gov substance abuse webpage …
-
Young Americans aged 12 to 20 account for 11 percent of the country’s monthly alcohol consumption.1
-
Approximately 23 million people aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in 2010.2
Youth.gov research tells us one of the most highly abused substances among youth in the U.S. is alcohol.3
Youth engage in binge drinking, a pattern of drinking that elevates the blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent or above, more than adults do.4
1 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2005). Drinking in America: Myths, Realities, and Prevention Policy. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://www.udetc.org/documents/drinking_in_america.pdf(link is external) 2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2011). Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Vol. I. Summary of national findings, (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, NSDUH Series H 41, HHS Publication No. SMA 11 4658). Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.3 Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2012 4 For the typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming five or more drinks [men], or four or more drinks [women], in about 2 hours.
But the Lord has promised to fight on our side and to rescue our children from those strong and violent enemies (Isaiah 49:25 CEV).
