Educators Play a Role in Preventing Drug Addiction

Teachers are looked up to by children and parents. This is why a positive role model is vital to drug prevention.

“Drug addiction prevention needs to be a priority for all of us,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “This is a job for those involved in the child’s development, which is, of course, the child’s parents, their church, and their teachers.”

While today’s teachers are called upon to teach the basics, such as reading and writing, drug education is also something that is a priority.

“Teachers cannot be expected to be the main source of information on drug addiction and abuse,” comments Ms. Rieser. “However, they do play a roll, and it does them no good to try to teach if their student is involved in drugs, high and hung-over."

Join Together gives tips on what teachers can do:

Whether it is through your guidance and attentiveness in the classroom or through your support of innovative educational policy, you have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of young people. By becoming aware of and active in substance use issues, you can help keep your students healthy and safe.

Action Steps

• Take a national alcohol and drug education survey. Join Together is conducting an online survey of teachers to learn what is actually happening at the classroom level in alcohol and drug prevention education.
• Make yourself available to your students as a positive adult influence.
• Work within your school system or university community to review current programs that address drug and alcohol prevention and advocate for research based programs.
• Research has shown that students who are involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Work with your school system to provide beneficial extracurricular activities.
• Learn what treatment resources are available in your community. You can help identify students that may need treatment and refer them and their parents to help when appropriate.
• Represent the schools in a local community coalition.

“With teachers, parents, and churches working together, we can make drug free families and communities and prevent drug addiction,” comments Ms. Rieser.

*Source: JoinTogether.org

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment or drug education.

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