National Substance Abuse Prevention Month 2023
This year, our theme for National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is #ChooseYourPath. Youth are encouraged to make choices today that will benefit their future selves – those that promote health, well-being, and personal values.
History
October was first declared as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in 2011.
The month is dedicated to:
- Highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in both individual and community health
- To remember those who have lost their lives to substance abuse
- To acknowledge those in recovery, as well as children, parents, family, and friends supporting them
- Educate that the earlier a person begins using a tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs the likelier that person is to develop an addiction
Recent Data
The 2022 “Monitoring the Future” national survey provides the following information:
- In 2022, reported use of any illicit drug within the past year remained at or significantly below pre-pandemic levels for all grades, with 11% of eighth graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use in the past year.
- Nicotine vaping remained stable for all three grades surveyed, with 12% of eighth graders, 20.5% of 10th graders, and 27.3% of 12th graders reporting vaping nicotine in the past year.
- Cannabis use also remained stable for all three grades surveyed, with 8.3% of eighth graders, 19.5% of 10th graders, and 30.7% of 12th graders reporting cannabis use in the past year. Of note, 6.0% of eighth graders, 15.0% of 10th graders, and 20.6% of 12th graders reported vaping cannabis within the past year, reflecting a stable trend at the pre-pandemic level among eighth and 12th graders, and a small increase in reported use among 10th graders, though reported use among 10th graders in 2022 is still significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
- Alcohol use remained stable for eighth and 10th graders (with 15.2% and 31.3% reporting use in the past year, respectively) but returned to pre-pandemic levels for 12th graders in 2022 (with 51.9% of 12th graders reporting alcohol use in the past year).
KCTC Student Survey Data
KCTC Student Survey data indicated decreasing prevalence of regular substance use among youth in recent history, as evidenced among surveyed 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in Kansas reporting:
- Past 30-day alcohol use has remained stable from 9.24% in 2022 to 8.92% in 2023
- Past 30-day use of vaping has remained stable from 6.85% in 2022 to 6.25% in 2023
- Past 30-day use of marijuana has remained stable from 4.19% in 2022 to 3.44% in 2023
- Past 30-day use of methamphetamines has remained stable from 0.15% in 2022 to 0.11% in 2023
Strategies for Educating Youth About Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a major problem affecting young people all around the world. Educating them about the dangers of drug use and abuse can help prevent the problem from escalating. There are several strategies that can be employed to educate youth about substance abuse.
- Create an open and comfortable environment where young people can talk about drugs and their effects without fear of judgment or punishment. This can be achieved through organized events, workshops, and seminars. These events should not only focus on the negative consequences of drug abuse, but also on the positive outcomes of a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.
- Provide young people with accurate and up-to-date information about the different types of drugs and their effects. This can be done through educational materials such as pamphlets, brochures, and online resources. It is important to ensure that the information provided is scientifically accurate and unbiased.
- Finally, parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in educating young people about substance abuse. They should talk openly and honestly with their children about drugs and alcohol, and encourage them to make healthy choices. Parents and caregivers can also set good examples by leading healthy and drug-free lifestyles themselves.
Overall, educating young people about substance abuse is an ongoing process that requires a multi-faceted approach. By creating an open and comfortable environment, providing accurate information, and involving parents and caregivers, we can help young people make informed and healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.
Resources
For more information and resources, follow the links below!
Want to get involved in substance abuse and misuse prevention? Want to know what is happening in your part of the state?
Check out the KPC Coalition in your area: