The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
July 1, 2008

ASAP offers teenagers a chance to straighten up

An estimated 20 million adults in the United States today abuse alcohol. More than half of these alcoholics got into the habit of drinking heavily when they were teenagers.

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 1.2 million adolescents, age 12 to 17, smoked cigarettes on an average day in 2006, 631,000 drank alcohol and 586,000 used marijuana.

But, while alcohol was the drug of choice, it was not the only substance to which teenagers turned.

About 49,000 adolescents used inhalants, on an average day in 2006, according to SAMHSA, 27,000 used hallucinogens, 13,000 used cocaine and 3,800 used heroin.

Many of these teens were first-time users. An average of 8,000 tried alcohol for the first time on an average day in 2006, while 4,300 used an illicit drug for the first time.

These are the teenagers targeted by the new Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) being facilitated by Youth & Family Services of North Central Oklahoma.

The program’s emphasis is on early treatment, intervening before a teen hits rock bottom or gets into trouble with the law.

The outpatient treatment program targets adolescents and their families experiencing substance abuse issues. The services are directed toward client sobriety and maintaining or restoring a positive family relationship.

There are, of course, other drug and alcohol treatment programs for teenagers, but the fact this one specifically targets early intervention makes it noteworthy.

This proactive approach could keep teens from slipping helplessly into addiction, landing in jail or winding up harming themselves or someone else.

The new program gives troubled young people a chance at straightening out their lives ASAP, which is definitely preferable to the alternative.

Text Only
Opinion
Featured Ads
AP Video
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is... Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
NDN Video
Raw Video: 15 Lb. Baby Born in China Model's Shocking 20-Inch Waist Entire staff removed at L.A. elementary school Ellen DeGeneres Slams One Million Moms Exclusive: Giants Players Talk About Excitement Around 2012 Super Bowl Victory Parade Trending: Bikini Bet Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Rihanna in Super Sheer Bodysuit 'Spider-Man' Brand-New Extended Trailer Beyonce Stuns in Tight Dress Giants City Hall ceremony Fox and Friends Interviews a Candy. Seriously. Powell's Voice Mail: 'I Am Not Able to Go On' Madonna's 2012 World Tour Car Crashes Into Restaurant Cat on Field Stops Soccer Match Gisele under fire for remarks after Patriots loss Motorcycle rider injured in circus accident Idol Contestant's Shocking Fall Gisele's Super Bowl Potty Mouth
Seasonal Content
House Ads