National Prevention Week Recognized in Illinois

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, May 28, 2014


The state of Illinois recognized National Prevention Week last week, May 18-24. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), National Prevention Week is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drug use, especially among adolescents, and mobilize communities to address these issues through prevention strategies including education and law enforcement.

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“The use of alcohol and drugs by teenagers in Illinois is a serious threat to adolescents and families, as this behavior could have serious health, emotional and legal consequences in the short and long term. Communities can reduce substance use rates by focusing on prevention activities in schools and other sectors, and promoting healthy behaviors.” - Michelle R.B. Saddler, Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)

“The use of alcohol and drugs by teenagers in Illinois is a serious threat to adolescents and families, as this behavior could have serious health, emotional and legal consequences in the short and long term,” said Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler. “Communities can reduce substance use rates by focusing on prevention activities in schools and other sectors, and promoting healthy behaviors.”

In Illinois, community-based organizations are working to reduce underage alcohol and drug use by delivering prevent strategies such as life skills (e.g. problem solving) education, parent education and communication campaigns. The IDHS Substance Abuse Prevention Program funds agencies across the state to deliver services to youth ages 11-20 and promote prevention in their communities. Organizations are also involved in building community coalitions to address substance abuse issues.

“[National Prevention Week] is absolutely necessary because at that time we really get an opportunity to shine a light on the fact that substance abuse is a problem,” said South Side Help Center Outreach Supervisor Harold Cherry. “Often times, we don’t even get a chance to talk about substance abuse and how it’s affecting us a whole so when you get stuff like National Prevention Week that deals with substance abuse, that deals with HIV, it gives us an opportunity to shine a light and a focus on those two particular issues.”

Cherry singled-out peer pressure as the primary reason youth begin using alcohol and drugs. To combat these problems, the SSHC created mentoring programs that teach conflict resolution and life skills. In general, the mentoring sessions are designed to help young people make good life decisions.

The South Side Help Center (SSHC), 10420 S. Halsted, is an agency dedicated to helping individuals of all ages embrace a lifestyle free of social ills by providing positive, healthy alternatives.

In 2012, 47 percent of 12th graders in Illinois drank alcohol in the past 30 days, 6 percent higher than the national average. Thirty percent of Illinois high school seniors reported drinking five or more drinks in one sitting, a practice known as binge drinking, which can lead to blackouts and alcohol poisoning. Underage drinking impairs judgment and is associated with risky behavior like driving drunk and unprotected sex.

Marijuana use among adolescents has increased nationwide and in Illinois over the last decade, as teens do not see the behavior as harmful. In Illinois, 38 percent of high school seniors have smoked marijuana in the last year, which is higher than the national average. Smoking marijuana affects a teen’s ability to make good decisions, and one in six marijuana users who start smoking marijuana in adolescence become addicted to the drug.

While alcohol use remains steady and marijuana use increasing, tobacco use among teens in Illinois has been steadily decreasing in the past decade. According to a 2012 SAMHSA report on adolescent cigarette smoking, there has been a significant decrease in adolescent cigarette use in 41 states, including Illinois. The report indicates that this positive development is due in part to the strengthening of tobacco laws on a state level and a greater understanding of the risks associated with tobacco use.

For more information contact the IDHS Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) at 1-866-213-0548 or visit www.hs.state.is.us and click on addiction.

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