Date of Award

Fall 1990

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Education

Abstract

Children in the 90's face a great many difficulties as they grow and begin their transition into adulthood. They may experience a great deal of stress as their lives become complicated with peer pressure, family conflicts, and academic competition. Sometimes these children must bear a load that is too heavy for them to handle on their own, and unfortunately they may try to escape by climbing into a bottle or look for courage and support in other drugs. Drug abuse effects everyone's lives. It crosses all cultural, social, and racial boundaries and it's victimizing young children. It's proportions are epidemic. As long as tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, and various illegal drugs are readily available we will never live in a drug free society. Substance abuse has been a part of our society for as long as we can remember. While we cannot eliminate drugs from our society we can make a commitment to help prevent children from turning to drugs. Solid comprehensive prevention programs in our elementary schools along with community and parental support arid good adult role models, is the best way to begin to develop a healthy lifestyle. We must establish prevention foundations early and reinforce them yearly, for while we cannot eliminate supply, we can reduce demand. The children are the future of our society and it is our responsibility to do all that we can to prepare them for their roles in a rapidly changing world.

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