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However, in understanding the factors that exist in most substance abuse cases, preemptive solutions to the problem such as education and awareness, as well as early interventions in recently-onset cases can help to curb the issue significantly.
Proposed Solutions
The key to preventing substance abuse, as proposed by researchers and laymen alike, is awareness and education regarding substance abuse. Beginning in schools, religious organizations, and at home, individuals are better adept at understanding the struggles that stem from substance abuse, and such knowledge can help to eliminate a problem before it arises.
For those individuals who find themselves in the throes of substance abuse as adolescents, research has further found that early intervention or punishment can help to put the severity of the problem into the forefront of the abuser's mind in order to show the consequences of such abuse. For instance, increasing evidence has shown that specific, immediate and brief sentences (i.e. overnight) for positive drug tests or altercations produces substantial reductions in drug use and offending in adolescents (Strang, 2012, p. 75). Through fully understanding the repercussions of one's actions, adolescents in these circumstances are shown exactly what substance abuse can lead to, and in having this type of law enforcement altercation early on, many individuals are essentially scared into quitting.
Other solutions on and individualized basis can stem from that individual's religious affiliation. Religious institutions offer increased opportunities for social support, especially during late adolescence/young adulthood, the period in which so many individuals begin to experiment or subsequently abuse certain substances (Kasen,...
514). Such religious institutions offer a protective influence along with the message of redemption, which oftentimes proves beneficial for adolescent substance abusers.
While the problem is significant, there appears to be a multitude of ways to fix the problem at hand. In handling each case of adolescent substance abuse individually, rather than with a "fix-all" method, such cases will likely be reduced, and continued abuse will be deterred.
References
Bachman, J., Johnston, L. And O'Malley, P. (2002). Monitoring the future: national results on adolescent drug use. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.monitoringthefuture.org [Accessed on 7 March 2012].
Ilgen, M. (2011). Prevalence and characteristic of substance abuse by U.S. adolescents.
Addictive Behaviors, 36.12: pp. 1349. Web. Retrieved from: LexisNexis Database. [Accessed on 7 March 2012].
Kasen, S. (2012). Religiosity and resilience in persons at high risk for major depression.
Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy. (2009). Adolescent substance abuse: a public health priority. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.plndp.org/Resources / adolescent.pdf [Accessed on 7 March 2012].
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