User:Jensteuber/sandbox

Preventive Drug Education
When "Just Say No" was introduced in the 80's and 90's people didn't realize that the kids were being educated about drugs in the wrong way. Opening up possibilities that wouldn't have been there otherwise. Introducing them to drugs that they had no idea even existed, even typical household stuff that could be under your kitchen sink or in your bathroom cabinet. It heightened awareness of everyday products that were readily available at the local Wal-Mart or Dollar General.

With the better education that understands thoroughly that all kids at some point will come face to face with drugs and the opportunity to use. With that knowledge we can arm the kids with the facts about about the dangers and tactics that will allow for the right decision to be made. Knowing as many facts as available can led to the correct judgment call which could potentially save someone from a lifetime of addiction.

"The fact that overdose is the leading cause of death under age of 50, we need to try something different. An abstinence-only approach is not working." This would involve taking a better look at some of our current laws and reforming them. The fact that marijuana for medical purposes is now legal in 33 states and D.C. which means that things are changing rapidly.

Also focusing on educating our youth in the cause AND effects of self use, but also teaching them signs and symptoms of overdosing that way they could have a chance to save a friend, a spouse, a parent, a sibling, or even a stranger at the crucial moment in time.

From 1999 to 2017 The United States had 70,200 deaths due to overdoses from drug use. Just under 29,000 were all deaths attributed by the deadly drug Fentanyl alone.

It is beyond important that we break the cycle of addiction through families and their generations. It wont be a one step solution either, it is gonna be many things that have to be put into place that way we can get ahead of this epidemic that has grown every year that passes. We need to be able to give our younger generations the ways out of the rut that seems to have swallowed up generation after generation. One of the best ways to teach drug education is by evidence based programs that shows the ENTIRE addiction, focusing mainly on the solution to defeat and rise above it.

Growing up in a house where parents abuse drugs increases the rate of the younger generation becoming addicts themselves.

The magnitude when actual real life drug education is given to kids in that critical moment of time can make or break someone becoming an addict or rising above and beating the odds are a staggering 30%.

Every child and teen will come face to face with options and a decision to make about whether or not to use drugs regardless if its for the first time or many times. Its not IF is only WHEN. With enough education and discussions about the drug and its lasting effects that it causes would be enough to help them make the RIGHT, INFORMED decision. Every single person that is saved from what could be a lifelong addiction is priceless no matter if the person is homeless or a college graduate. Every single life is important in very single way.