NEW YORK 7/30/2010 6:40:00 PM
Recreational drug use misconceptions indicate need for drug abuse prevention education
Widespread drug abuse prevention education necessary
There will always be a wide chasm separating supporters of medical marijuana and those who oppose its use. Regardless of the side on which one finds himself or herself, there is one clear notion that both sides can agree on: public perception of the use of medical marijuana has influenced the drug addiction treatment landscape significantly.
There are more and more individuals on both sides of the issue who do recognize that caution is needed when broaching this sensitive subject with young people. More drug rehab facilities are taking a pro-active approach in encouraging greater widespread community-based drug abuse prevention education.
“We are focused on the impact of the abuse of marijuana,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “Our concerns are focused on the public perception of its use and the perception of teens. We must be cautious with the message that society is sending. On the one hand, there is the advocacy of the use of marijuana for medical purposes while at the same time teens are being told to ‘just say NO’ to drugs. While adults can understand the difference in medical versus recreational use, the message of ‘it’s ok to do one thing in one situation, but not in another’ can become quite confusing to adolescents. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that parents are talking to their teens and explaining the differences in the applications of drug use. It’s only through such open communication and education that we are going to be able to curb drug abuse among young adults.”
Mountainside’s original, unique approach to drug rehab began 12 years ago. The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specializations and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who specializes in addictions.
The program, along with the cohesive addiction treatment team, earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House Drug Czar, John P. Walters for an in-depth meeting on what makes their program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and brought attention to the effectiveness of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.
