Myths About Substance Abuse

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Newtown Organization to Stop Underage Drinking Soon (NO SUDS), I would like to support Donna DeLuca and Dorrie Carolan for their efforts to help Newtown’s youth. NO SUDS is a task force of the Newtown Prevention Council created last fall with a grant from the State of Connecticut, working with the Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking (CCSUD) to reduce the harm caused by underage drinking in our town. The task force has completed a needs assessment and will be finalizing its action plan this fall.

Alcohol is a “gateway” drug which opens to involvement with other drugs. Therefore NO SUDS and The Parent Connection’s efforts will support and strengthen each other. Ms DeLuca and Ms Carolan have asked the people of Newtown to “open our minds, eyes, and ears” to dismiss the wishful thinking that has blinded us to both the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in our town and also to the risks. I would like to support this cause today by offering some myth-breaking facts.

First, it is a myth that most kids in high school use alcohol or other drugs. While Connecticut has a serious problem with illegal substances, 60 percent of US youth aged 12–17 haven’t ever had a drink, and it is perfectly normal not to. Connected with this first mistaken belief is a common misconception that kids need to “learn how to drink” as a youthful “rite of passage.” Recent studies indicate that younger brains, far from being more resilient are much more easily damaged by exposure to alcohol and other drugs than adult brains. The prefrontal cortex (the brain’s decision-maker)  and the hippocampus (responsible for memory and learning), are still developing into adolescence and are particularly sensitive to alcohol and drugs.

But the most damaging myth I would like to dispel today is the belief that what parents do and say doesn’t matter. The truth is that children who are consistently given a no-use message are three to four times less likely to abuse substances. In fact, research shows that all caring adults are in a position of tremendous influence. Therefore it is essential that we keep the lines of communication with young people open, not just in the family, but between families, and throughout our community.

There is no single solution that will eliminate the problem of alcohol and substance use among our youth. We need to change factors in the environment which contribute to the availability and acceptance of alcohol and drugs in our culture.

Newtown’s greatest strength has always been its people. We are a hardworking and caring community. This year’s annual Labor Day Parade is dedicated to the “Youth of Newtown.” Let’s make this symbolic event a rallying cry for everyone who cares about the lives of our young people. We can begin by participating in the events sponsored by The Parent Connection, Newtown Youth Services, Newtown Prevention Council, and NO SUDS this fall. Let’s keep our voices loud and strong so that every youth in our town knows how much we care.

Sincerely,

Nina Allred, MA

NO SUDS Community Coordinator

41-A Main Street, Newtown                                       August 26, 2003