Posted on October 15, 2007 by Regan Zambri & Long

Substance Abuse Prevention Strategies for Communities: New Federal Publication

Rates of substance abuse are a national concern, but prevention efforts are more successful when they're implemented locally, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  To encourage and assist in the development of local initiatives, the agency has published Focus on Prevention, a free, downloadable guidebook of proven and practical solutions to implementing successful substance abuse prevention programs for youth. 

Also included in the document is the following demographic data:

  • "More than 1 in 5 teens who currently uses alcohol also uses illicit drugs.
  • 2 out of 5 teens between 18 and 25 are binge drinkers, and 1 in 4 admit to driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
  • Cigarette smoking was more common in 2004 among pregnant girls aged 15 to 17 than among non-pregnant girls in this age group.  Pregnant 15- to 17- year-olds also were just as likely as non-pregnant girls to use illicit drugs.
  • Cigarette smoking has declined among youths between the ages of 12 and 17, however, past-month cigarette use among young adults between 18 and 25 remained at about 40% in 2004. 
  • Asian and African American youths have the lowest rates of marijuana use. 
  • The number of youths under age 18 who began using inhalants topped 800,000 in 2003 and has risen each year since 1993. 
  • Because inhalants are easy to get, young people often use them before tobacco or alcohol.
  • Youths make up almost half of all persons who begin using pain relievers for nonmedical reasons.  Girls are more likely than boys to use painkillers nonmedically.
  • Young people who have serious emotional problems are more likely to use substances and to become dependent on them."

Previously on the D.C. Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Tags: ,
Trackbacks (0) Links to blogs that reference this article Trackback URL
http://injurylaw.reganfirm.com/admin/trackback/48491
Comments (0) Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
Post A Comment / Question Use this form to add a comment to this entry.







Remember personal info?
Send To A Friend Use this form to send this entry to a friend via email.