In the wake of the drug fueled excess which defined the 1960’s and 70’s, most Americans gained an awareness of the danger that drug use poses and made a concerted effort to raise a drug free generation. The term drug free has come to mean living a lifestyle which is free of drug use, whether recreational or addictive. While some drug users may claim that they are in control of their habit, or that the health risks of drug addiction are exaggerated, the simple truth is that they are deceiving themselves. Any amount of drug use can result in a wide range of problems for a person, ranging from the loss of a job to deteriorating health to social exclusion. Only by living a drug free lifestyle can you truly meet your potential and make the most out of the life you lead.

For teenagers and adolescents, the effort to remain drug free is made more difficult by peer pressure and poor examples set by entertainers and musicians. Some students may not want to use drugs but will do so anyway in an effort to “fit in” with the crowd. With drug use being glorified by some portions of society, young people are especially vulnerable to the scourge of drug addiction. For these reasons, it is important that parents, teachers, and other role models in a child’s life provide an example of what being drug free really means. By immersing a child in meaningful activities, such as spots and athletics, artistic endeavors, or even an after school job, adults can show young people that living a drug free life has a multitude of real benefits.

The advent of community based drug free programs, such as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), has helped turn the tide against youth drug addiction. Classes, demonstrations, and field trips within drug free programs are designed to provide a student with a glimpse at what life is really like when under the influence of a drug addiction.  By comparing the misery and sense of loss felt by most drug addicts with the freedom and joy experienced by those living drug free, children are given a tangible reason to abstain from illegal substances. By instilling the value of a drug free lifestyle early on in life, you can help guide your child towards the realization of their goals.