As 2022 draws to a close, the state of America's drug crisis over the last year is being summed up as both sobering and encouraging. On the down side, the pervasiveness of fentanyl* led to a record number of drug-related deaths, and the fastest growing group to die of overdoses were teenagers** - despite fewer teens using drugs.
But not all news has been doom and gloom. Overall, American drug deaths have declined since March, and experts are hopeful we have reached a turning point. Additionally, a more widespread understanding of drug addiction as a disease has shifted perceptions and policies to bring major reforms in addiction treatment*** this year. These are victories worth celebrating this New Year's, and The Stand Project is renewing our mission to continue the trends of positive change in substance misuse.
YOU CAN HELP: Make a resolution to talk about drugs with your kids.
TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DRUGS CAN BE TOUGH, BUT IT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO.
Knowing how to start the conversation is often the hardest part, so here are a few tips and prompts to help you break the ice:
Carve out time to connect.
“Hey, I want to set time aside to catch up. Let’s go get lunch, just the two of us.”
Listen more.
“Tell me your top three stressors and how I can support you.”
Make yourself available.
“You are my most important responsibility. I may seem busy with work, volunteering and other commitments, but if you ever feel unseen, I want you to come to me and say, 'I NEED YOU.' I promise I will drop what I’m doing and make you the priority.”
Offer support not judgment.
“Your safety is my priority. No matter what you are doing or have done, your health and wellness is all I care about.”
IF YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD HAS EXPERIMENTED WITH DRUGS, BE DIRECT AND OFFER SUPPORT.
“I know you have been drinking/smoking/using drugs. I know you are afraid of getting in trouble, but I already know, so now I really just need to know what is going on. I love you and care about you and want to help you through this. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and I am here to support getting you there.”
- RESOURCES -
*US seizes enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American - BBC News | Dec 21, 2022
**Fentanyl overdose: US teens fastest growing group to die - BBC News | Oct 16, 2022
***After record drug deaths, there have been major reforms in addiction treatment - NPR | Dec 30, 2022