Talking about substance abuse is the first step in prevention

If you are the parent of a school-aged child, you will likely see activities for Red Ribbon Week between October 23rd and the 31st. Schools at all grade levels discuss the seriousness of drug abuse during Red Ribbon Week. It began in 1988 and is the nation’s largest drug-prevention campaign each year. 

“When we talk about substance-abuse prevention, we focus on preventing the first use,” said Amanda Peters. Peters is the Director of the Northern KY Office of Drug Policy, which is housed at the Northern KY Area Development District (NKADD).  Peters said that sharing age-appropriate information with children as early as possible has proven to impact substance use. 

“We want to equip parents to talk openly to their children about the dangers of substance use.  Ideally, children will feel comfortable discussing what they are seeing and experiencing before they are ever confronted with the opportunity to try drugs,” she said. 

Preventing the first use is critical to stopping substance-related deaths in our area.  “Because of the potency of substances available in Northern Kentucky, the ‘first use’ can unfortunately be fatal,” Peters added.  

Peters referred to the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) “One Pill Can Kill” website, which states 7 out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The site includes a Kentucky mother’s testimony about her son, Wyatt, who died from a fentanyl-laced pill. The six-and-a-half-minute story is powerful and worth sharing with your kids. 

“Counterfeit pills are the scariest new development,” Peters said. “Drug dealers copy the look, color and size of common drugs, but lace them with fentanyl and other cheap synthetic substances.  People who think they are just taking an Adderall (ADHD medication) from a friend have died from what may have seemed to the individual like a harmless thing.” 

Peters said all eight counties in the NKADD region have robust prevention coalitions.  Coalitions are teams of government, community and agency staff who work together to share information about substance-use prevention. In fact, the state of Kentucky leads the nation in community response to poly-substance abuse, and Northern Kentucky leads the state. But Peters cautions there is more to be done. 

“We are in a vulnerable position here in Northern Kentucky because we are centrally located between major metropolitan hubs with easy access to several interstates,” she said, making us a tempting location for drug trafficking.   

The changing laws around cannabis should also put parents on high alert.  

“Because medical marijuana will be legal in Kentucky in January and recreational marijuana is already legal across the river in Ohio, kids are going to see stores, billboards and commercials about marijuana use.  Their perception of harm will be impacted by what they see all around them,” she warned.  The “perception of harm” refers to the amount of risk one places on a decision to use substances.  According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), youth who perceive a high risk of harm are less likely to use drugs than youth who perceive a low risk of harm. 

Peters also shared an important reminder about alcohol.  “Alcohol is the #1 killer in our region, in terms of substance use. It is really important that parents talk with their children about their own alcohol use.  Show them how to make good decisions when you drink, such as refraining from driving when you have a beverage. As with everything, kids will learn more from what you do than from what you say.” 

The NKYODP operates the Northern Kentucky Addiction Helpline to assist individuals, families and partners looking for options related to substance misuse and addiction. 

The Helpline is answered by trained, professional, compassionate care coordinators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Helpline offers a variety of services including answers to frequently asked questions, assistance with assessment, treatment and placement, and linkage to harm reduction, recovery and reentry services. 

The phone number is 859.415.9280.