Keeping Glen Cove SAFE: SAFE Space for Teens
Keeping Glen Cove SAFE: SAFE Space for Teens
Smoking, drinking, and doing drugs can lead to problems at home, in school, and with your health. It can become a serious issue and lead to long-term problems, injury, and even death. For example:
- Difficulty finding identity, building relationships, and preparing for their future
- Substance use can affect memory and learning.
- Alcohol and drug use is a leading cause of teen death or injury related to car crashes, suicides, violence, and drowning.
- Even occasional alcohol use by a teen increases the risk for future alcohol and drug use.
- Substance use can affect growth and development. Teens who use alcohol and drugs may have trouble finding their identity, building relationships, and preparing for their future.
- Substance use can affect memory and learning.
- Substance use can lead to unprotected sex. This increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Tobacco use can cause cancer and heart and lung problems.
- Even casual use of certain drugs can cause severe health problems, such as an overdose or brain damage. Many illegal drugs are made in home labs, so they may contain unsafe substances.
Many teens try substances like alcohol or drugs. Some try them only a few times and stop. Teens who keep using substances may form a strong need for them. This can lead to substance use disorder. Substances teens may try including tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, household products (inhalants), and prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Why do teens use alcohol or drugs?
Teens may use alcohol or drugs for many reasons. They may do it because they:
- Want to fit in with (or may be pressured by) certain friends or groups.
- Like the way it makes them feel.
- Believe it makes them more grown up.
- Want to escape from their problems. For example, some teens may use drugs to try to:
- Avoid the symptoms of mental health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression.
- Ease feelings of insecurity.
- Forget about past trauma or abuse.
Learn more here:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: BAM! (Body and Mind)
Designed for students 9–13 years old, BAM! gives students the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. The site also serves as an aid to teachers, providing them with interactive, educational, and fun activities that are linked to national education standards for science and health
Information on treatment, support, and mental and physical health for middle schoolers, as well as additional resources for school projects.
10 Facts Teens Should Know About Drugs and Health
Resources
National
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Adolescent and School Health
High Risk Substance Use Among Youth Facts and Information
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration hosts the Get Smart About Drugs website for parents, educators, and caregivers. The website features news, headlines, trending topics, and videos about youth and drugs. Users can also search the database for specific drug information.
Kaiser Permanente Teen Alcohol and Drug Use
Kids Health Resources for Teens and Educators
New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASAS)
Substance Use Prevention Resources for Youth and College Students
Where to Get Help
Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, this helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 1-800-487-4889
The Trevor Project TrevorLifeline
The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.
1-866-488-7386
Treatment and Support Services
Local
Family and Children’s Association of Long Island
Hempstead, NY
Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD)
Westbury, NY
North Shore Child and Family Guidance
Roslyn, NY
Are you a parent or caregiver who needs help for your middle schooler, or does your middle schooler need help coping with someone else’s drinking? Here are some organizations:
Al-Anon Family Groups
- Alateen supports teens whose lives have been affected by someone’s drinking.
- Al-Anon helps family and friends of people who are worried about someone’s drinking.
Contact: 1-888-4AL-ANON (25-2666)
Supports individuals who want to stop drinking.
Contact: 212-870-3400 or Meeting Guide app for iOS and Android smartphones
National Association for Children of Addiction
Helps children who are hurt by a parent’s alcohol use.
Contact: 301-468-0985
Helps families and caregivers in finding treatment options for teens and provides an overview of the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) approach to improving family dynamics.
Supports individuals who desire to gain independence from any type of addictive behavior.
Contact: 440-951-5357
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
Locate substance abuse treatment centers in your area.
Alcohol and Drug Research Sites
Are you a parent or caregiver who is looking for more information, or is your middle schooler doing research for a school project? Check out these sites:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
NIAAA has information about alcohol use, alcohol use disorder, and treatment options.
- NIAAA website
- NIAAA publications
- College Drinking Prevention website
- Alcohol Policy Information System: Underage Drinking
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- NIDA website
- NIDA Information for Parents and Educators. Get information on how different drugs can affect the brain and the body and find many links to related sites.
- Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment. This guide for healthcare providers describes behavioral approaches, family-based approaches, medications, and recovery support.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Publications Store
On this site, you’ll find free publications on many topics related to alcohol and drugs, mental health, prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Teen Line is an anonymous, nonjudgmental space for youth. Through our hotline, teens can access personal peer-to-peer support from highly trained teens supervised by adult mental health professionals. Our work extends to providing outreach and support to schools and other youth organizations.
Boys Town National Hotline (1.800.448.3000)
Crisis and support line for children, youth and their parents, 24/7 and Spanish available. Multi-topic and issue assistance.
Provides 24/7 assistance in 170 languages to adults, children and youth with information and questions regarding child abuse. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
National Runaway Safeline (1.800.RUNAWAY)
Crisis line for youth thinking about running away, for youth already on the run and for adults worried about a runaway. 24/7 help available.
Loveisrespect.org (1.800.331.9474)
Peer advocates available 24/7 to support teens with concerns about dating violence. Chat available thru their website, or text loveis to 22522.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.TALK)
Support and assistance 24/7 for anyone feeling depressed, overwhelmed or suicidal.
