Santa Barbara, California and the surrounding communities team up every year to host an event called Free 4 the Weekend. Held in March, the event is a combination festival, "Dare to keep your kids off drugs"-type event. Local bands, rock climbing walls, and other activities are all offered for free. The only "catch" is that kids have to sign a pledge stating they won’t use drugs or alcohol during the event.

"On March 18th and 19th, approximately 10,000 students will sign pledges."

The purpose of the event, hosted by the Santa Barbara Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, is to show students that having fun without drinking or getting high is possible.

For people seeking treatment for substance abuse, finding a good treatment program can be confusing. There are so many facilities and programs available, how do you choose one that’s right for your or a loved one? The South Bend Tribune put together a list of questions that can help steer you in the right direction.

"...if you're armed with the right questions, finding the right center or program doesn't have to be confusing or frustrating..."

The tribune article includes a link to the full list of questions offered on Partnership for a Drug-Free America's web site.

SunHawk Academy is an adolescent treatment program set in a boarding school environment. NorthStar Center is a program for young adults who need a structured living program and recovery support for continued sobriety.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) promotes a "Family Day" every year. The purpose of Family Day is to encourage families to eat dinner together.

"Research by [CASA] consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner together with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs."

Family Day was first created in 2001 and is typically the last Monday in September.

Abuse and addiction are not the same thing. Abuse comes first, and may or may not lead to addiction. Some parents and caregivers think there's no need to be truly concerned about their teenager until he or she is struggling with a full-blown addiction. And many teens who use drugs casually think the same thing. But the destructive effects of drug use start long before a person becomes addicted. The web site Health A to Z has outlined some of the important differences between abuse and addiction and the dangers of both.

"Teenagers are in a phase of life in which their brains and bodies are still developing. Drug abuse and addiction interfere with their sense of who they are and how they learn and mature. These problems can harm a teen's future..."

The article goes on to list several drugs, including prescription medications, which are commonly abused by teenagers. It gives general information about each drug and its potential short- and long-term effects.

Welcome to the Adolescent Substance Abuse Blog!