Parents, Drugs, and Young People: The Generation Gap Parents
of teens today may find themselves in need of a refresher course in
teen-speak 101. Today’s pop culture environment could not be more
different from 30 years ago. With a society accustomed to instant
connection by cell phone, text message, IM, MySpace, Facebook, MP3s,
Xanga, and blogs, there’s an entirely new mode of communication parents
need to get in sync with. If you don’t know much about these, you’re
not alone. ONDCP's Parent Chronicles initiative
strives to help parents better understand their teen’s life. Research
shows teens who have a close relationship with their parents are less
likely to use drugs and alcohol and engage in risky behaviors. Though
most parents may think they have a close relationship, how
much do they really know about their teen, their teen’s friends, and
what they do when they're online?Visit the Chronicle's home page to access resources you can use to help prevent drug use before it starts.
Prevention News
|  | | Drug, Brains and BehaviorDrugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
Throughout much of the last century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. When science began to study addictive behavior in the 1930s, people addicted to drugs were thought to be morally flawed and lacking in willpower. Those views shaped society's responses to drug abuse, treating it as a moral failing rather than a health problem, which led to an emphasis on punitive rather than preventative and therapeutic actions. Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to drug abuse have changed dramatically. Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem.
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior. We have identified many of the biological and environmental factors and are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug abuse takes on individuals, families, and communities.
Check out this new publication from NIDA which explains in layman's terms how science has revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease.
Tags: Prevention, Drug Facts
Prevention News
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