It takes a community to raise a child and prevent drug abuse and addiction! Get updates and ideas about how you can prevent further drug and alcohol issues in Mercer and Auglaize Counties and the surrounding areas. ~Prevention is the key and is much more cost effective than treatment. If parents/community see the substance use as okay/acceptable, the use in that system increases. It's important to take a stand against drug and alcohol abuse (including underage drinking) in order to lessen further problems! The 3 gateway drugs (drugs that increase the risk of harder core drug use) are alcohol, to***co, and ma*****na. If we can prevent kids from underage drinking (while their brain is still developing) and using to***co and ma*****na, we can decrease the risk for addiction, lessen crime, and save money from addiction treatment in the long run! PARENTS, YOU ARE the #1 preventative factor when it comes to your kids deciding whether or not they will drink, use other drugs, or participate in other destructive behaviors! Another protective factor for children: the quality of the relationship between parent and the teen.
