Peer pressure can be so strong that it can often make people partake in actions they would never do on their own. Pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol starts as early as middle school. As local school budgets have been cut, thankfully D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) can still bring awareness to school-aged children about peer pressure and alcohol.

D.A.R.E is a police officer-led serious of lessons geared towards school children of all ages, focusing on how to resist peer pressure and avoid  involvement with drugs, alcohol, gangs, and violence.
These classroom lessons provide students the opportunity to ask tough questions about drugs and alcohol. One of these questions is, “How easy is it to get addicted to alcohol?”

This is a difficult question to answer because there are many factors that can contribute to becoming addicted to alcohol. School-aged children may be at a greater risk of alcoholism if they:

• Have poor self esteem
• Are experiencing peer pressure
• Have a high level of stress
• Have a close relative with alcoholism
• Live in a family where alcohol use is common and accepted

If the person (teenager or adult) has already started drinking, the following questions can help determine their likelihood of addiction:

• How long have you been drinking?
• How many drinks do you consume?
• How many times a week so you drink?

The more children (and adults) know about alcohol addiction, the greater the chance they can avoid it. Knowledge is power, and if we can provide kids the skills they need to stay on a healthy track, we can save lives.

If you or a loved one needs help, contact us at (337) 456.9111. Our admissions specialists are standing by.

Reference

About D.A.R.E. (n.d.). Retrieved February 09, 2016.

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