Survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America

According to a new research analysis of the 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), sponsored by MetLife Foundation:

•Teen girls are more likely to perceive "self-medicating" benefits with drinking and getting high.

•More than two-thirds of teen girls responded positively to the question "using drugs helps kids deal with problems at home" (an 11 percent increase, up from 61 percent in 2008 to 68 percent in 2009).

•More than half reported that drugs help teens forget their troubles (a 10 percent increase, up from 48 percent in 2008 to 53 percent in 2009).

What Can Parents Do? Take Immediate Action to Safeguard Kids from Drug and Alcohol Use

The Partnership encourages parents of teens who are using drugs or alcohol to take action as soon as they suspect or know their child is using. The Partnership’s Time To Act is a resource that provides parents with free, anonymous access to the most current, research-based information on how to help their child and family take the next steps. It offers step-by-step advice and sympathetic guidance from substance abuse experts, family therapists, scientists and fellow parents to help guide families through the process of understanding substance abuse, confronting a child, setting boundaries and seeking outside help.

Research consistently shows that kids who learn a lot about the dangers of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use than those who do not get that crucial message at home. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take charge of the communication with their families, have frequent, ongoing conversations with their pre-teens and teens about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use and to take early action if they think their child is using or might have a problem.

To learn more about Time To Act and for more information on the full PATS data results, please visit drugfree.org.

CTCADA offers both adolescent intervention and treatment programs. Education, individual counseling, family therapy, group counseling and referral to other resources are all part of a comprehensive effort to prevent or intervene in youth alcohol and drug abuse. Call us at 254-690-4455!

Survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America

® and MetLife Foundation found that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to perceive potential benefits from drug use and drinking, making teen girls more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse.

According to a new research analysis of the 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), sponsored by MetLife Foundation:

•Teen girls are more likely to perceive "self-medicating" benefits with drinking and getting high.

•More than two-thirds of teen girls responded positively to the question "using drugs helps kids deal with problems at home" (an 11 percent increase, up from 61 percent in 2008 to 68 percent in 2009).

•More than half reported that drugs help teens forget their troubles (a 10 percent increase, up from 48 percent in 2008 to 53 percent in 2009).

The Partnership encourages parents of teens who are using drugs or alcohol to take action as soon as they suspect or know their child is using. The Partnership’s Time To Act is a resource that provides parents with free, anonymous access to the most current, research-based information on how to help their child and family take the next steps. It offers step-by-step advice and sympathetic guidance from substance abuse experts, family therapists, scientists and fellow parents to help guide families through the process of understanding substance abuse, confronting a child, setting boundaries and seeking outside help.

Research consistently shows that kids who learn a lot about the dangers of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use than those who do not get that crucial message at home. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take charge of the communication with their families, have frequent, ongoing conversations with their pre-teens and teens about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use and to take early action if they think their child is using or might have a problem.

To learn more about Time To Act and for more information on the full PATS data results, please visit drugfree.org.

CTCADA offers both adolescent intervention and treatment programs. Education, individual counseling, family therapy, group counseling and referral to other resources are all part of a comprehensive effort to prevent or intervene in youth alcohol and drug abuse. Call us at 254-690-4455!