KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA

Parents and community prevention partners need to celebrate the recent e-mail news, National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, 750 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503 USA as cited from the just released 2008 Monitoring the Future study (MTF) shows a 25 percent decrease in overall illicit drug use among 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th graders combined since 2001.  The information cites approximately 900,000 fewer young people are using drugs today, compared to 2001.  The e-mail communication also states " ...overall drug use is down across the board, the survey also revealed reductions in current use for all three grades combined for marijuana (25%), methamphetamine (50%), Ecstasy (50%), LSD (53%), steroids (33%), alcohol (21%), and cigarettes (38%) during the seven year period."  The communication just released also notes though concerns about no change in the level of decreased use of prescribed drugs, notably vicodin, for all grades. The study cites that parents need to continue to be on safeguard with regard to their prescriptions and talk to teens about the risks of combining alcohol and the use of prescribed drugs misuse.

 Below are some resources, current information, for parents and other community members regarding ways to education and prevent further misused of medications.

Look for updated information regarding recent research findings in the next few weeks.

Important interactive information for teens, families, medical and mental health professionals....

I encourage you to spend time reviewing the information found on these links.  I see adolescents who have misused prescribed medications when they have presented in the practices where I have worked as a college counselor, public school counselor, medical practice therapist and social worker, and now in private practice.  If you or someone you know may believe a teen is misusing medications, contact your family physician, pediatrician, or local mental health professional for guidance and direction.

Where do teens get the "pills"?

What is a parent to do?

About the dangers....

Could your teen be abusing drugs? 

A brochure for parents-download

A Wallet Card--Do You Track Your Prescriptions??

Look for further updates for families, physicians, and community members from this site

Prevention is essential to reduce the level of depression and substance abuse issues affecting not only the teens, but families in the Horry and Georgetown County areas of South Carolina.  As a mental health professional and former Substance Abuse Prevention Special Project Director, education is essential.  Many risks are evident in today's adolescent culture.  For further assistance, Contact us today! We welcome your questions and queries. Please see our Contact Us page for complete contact information.