06 Oct October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. In 2011, President Obama issued the first-ever Presidential Proclamation designating this month as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month to pay tribute to all those working to prevent substance abuse in our communities, and to rededicate ourselves to building a safer, drug-free America.

Prevention strategies targeting the root of the problem are essential to curb drug use and help people lead healthier lives.  Early intervention helps prevent substance abuse and reduce the negative consequences of addiction before they occur.  Through community-based efforts involving youth, parents, educators, and government officers, we can strengthen the support systems that deter our Nation’s young people from drug consumption and improve both academic performance and workforce readiness.

Even though it is our mission every month to raise awareness in order to increase our prevention efforts, we wanted to highlight some concerning facts to coincide with National Prevention Month. Please share this information to help us work towards a healthier and safer community for our kids.

1. Young Americans aged 12 to 20 account for 11 percent of the country’s monthly alcohol consumption (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)

2. Approximately 23 million people aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in 2010 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA))

3. In Texas, 42.2% of high school students had used marijuana one or more times during their life. Nationwide it’s 38.4%. (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance)

4. This abuse touches all aspects of our communities and contributes to an estimated $193 billion in crime, health, and lost productivity costs. (Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP))

5. Each dollar invested in an evidence-based prevention program can reduce costs related to substance use disorders by an average of $18. (Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP))

If you have any questions, need resources, or want more information about what we do please call us at 903-939-9010 or email at info@nextstepcsi.com.