Families and ...
Respect
Community Response to Drugs
Community groups and families serving side by side can make a big difference in dealing with drug use. So many issues today demand attention in communities. Only by working together in collaboration can success be realized.
Collaboration as defined in Webster’s dictionary means to work together. Working together in partnership building requires seeing what is wanted and gaining interest and support from key people and community groups.
Families and communities can restore healthy communities by:
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Establishing clear standards about the behaviors, attitudes and policies relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and modeling these.
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Educating about the dangerous social, economic, health and education implications associated with drug use.
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Building community coalitions of concerned citizens focusing on changing policies, attitudes and behaviors regarding drug use.
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Reducing the availability of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by decreasing sales outlets and dealers and by increasing enforcement.
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Creating youth programs that encourage, recognize, and reinforce drug-free lifestyles.
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Establishing mentoring programs by adults for youth that guide and encourage a youth’s development. Illinois Drug Education Alliance (IDEA) The Force of the Future, 1997
Be part of the solution. Encourage youth participation. Know the effects of drug use. Contact state and national organizations for facts to share at community meetings and within your family. Be that voice that is heard within a chorus of voices that repeat the "no use" message to youth. This will help to make the changes that are necessary to turn youth into healthy, informed adults.
For more information, contact IDEA at (630) 420-1766, the Search Institute at (800) 888-3820, the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 729-6686, Prevention First at (800) 252-8951, or Community Partners at (617) 723-7415.
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