Drug Awareness

The key to the success of this educational program is student participation. To that end, youth are invited to join activities that promote drug-free living—activities proven popular and which can involve students and community members of all ages.

Today’s Drug Problem Drug use in the United States is a serious problem, but much progress has been made through effective drug prevention and enforcement programs during the past decade. Teen drug use decreases when young people perceive that drug use is risky, and good drug prevention programs help teens understand how and why drugs are harmful. Most kids don’t take drugs. According to a recent government survey drug use rates have decreased since 2011. Kids are rejecting marijuana, LSD, steroids, ecstasy, methamphetamine, alcohol and tobacco. They are also telling researchers that they know more about the dangers of drugs—and that helps them say no to drug.

Drug prevention is a critical component in our nation’s effort to reduce drug use, particularly among young people. When it is part of a comprehensive strategy which includes law enforcement and drug treatment, prevention is a very powerful tool to reduce drug use. Over the decades, various types of drug prevention approaches have been implemented to help people reject drugs and choose healthy alternatives. Over the years, many lessons have been learned in the prevention field, and evaluating whether prevention programs actually work has been critical to their success. While drug prevention efforts continually evolve based on actual situations and needs, there are some guiding principles which are basic to successful drug prevention efforts. The ultimate aim of drug prevention programs is to change behaviors which encourage drug abuse and to reinforce positive behaviors which lead to the rejection of drugs.

We will work by establishing programs, creating our own anti-drug programs, and work individually as role models or mentors. Working within the community, schools, faith organizations, or in conjunction with businesses, young people can make a tremendous difference in reducing the demand for drugs. Working With Schools: Young people who are aware of the risks and consequences of drug use can make sound life decisions. Prevention programs help to improve skills to resist drugs, strengthen personal commitments against drug use, and increase social competency (communications, peer relationships, self-efficacy, and assertiveness), in conjunction with reinforcement of attitudes against drug use. Positive Kids will play an important role in drug awareness and prevention by informing the public about the perils of substance abuse. A prerequisite for youth involvement in this area would be a comprehensive training program covering the identification, use, misuse, and effects of drugs. Teens should also be familiar with the dangers and effects of alcohol and tobacco abuse. A vital component of this training would be public speaking skills and methods of presenting substance abuse information to various types of audiences.  Children should be taught that while drugs can be beneficial if medically prescribed and used, all drugs are dangerous if they are misused. Because students in this age bracket are more responsive to visual than audio stimulus, audiovisual aids will be an integral part of our program.

Positive Kids will be trained to educate youth in the community concerning the effects of drugs and alcohol, and educate others by using full body anatomy charts that will focus on the lungs, liver and other organs.

Positive Kids USA