SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

This is an imperative part of life. It should be something everyone does for each other to avoid addiction down the road. If we all have the proper tools and knowledge, then avoiding bad habits will be much easier than without having the knowledge. Education is key.

It goes beyond just "not doing them" or "just say no." It isn't as easy for some people. It's all around them. What are they to do? It's a lot easier said than done.

STAY IN SCHOOL - The more educated a person is, the more knowledgeable they will be about what is bad and what is good. Do you think the valedictorian from a major university is going to have an abuse problem, and still get straight A's? I would say probably not.

The more educated you are, the more well-rounded of an individual you become. Take a class. Know what's around you on the streets where you live. Be active in school. Stay busy. Join groups of fellow peers. If you do these things, you're going to stay out of trouble. As the saying goes, "There is safety in numbers."

BETTER PARENTING - Talk to your kids about bad habits. Tell them what consequences will come about if they use bad things. Don't water down anything. Be blunt and direct. The more ugly a picture you paint of them, the better. If you're indifferent to your kids' habits, or you simply don't care what they do, they'll get into trouble. Is that what you want?

I personally know a few people in my own life that have died of an overdose. It's not fun. I relive that memory every year of my life.

Instead, be a role model for your children. Be their friend, not their enemy. It's easy for teenagers to hate their parents during high school. It's common at that age. They start rebelling, and they take it out on their them. But, as parents, you should try your very best to be their friend, so they have someone to talk to when they need it. Be active in their life, and go to their sporting events and show support. Give them space when they need it. It's little things like that which are great for a healthy upbringing.

BE CONCERNED - If you have a friend or family member you suspect is abusing something, don't hide it or expect things to blow over. You must take action! Don't think, "Well, I don't want to be the one to approach them." That thinking will only result in further addiction.

Maybe they are scared and stuck in life, and are turning to bad habits to make them feel better. If you suspect this, or it is as plain as day, then DO SOMETHING! Don't just sit there and watch it happen. Intervene if you have to. Someone's life is at stake, and the lives of everyone around them, including YOU. Don't wait. Don't regret not doing something sooner. Don't wait until it's too late. Be a good friend and help them out.

MOVE IF YOU HAVE TO - If you're stuck in a situation, and you think it's impossible to get out of it unless you simply move out of the area, then DO IT! You only live once, so why not make the best of it!

I live in a state in which gambling is legal. Therefore, there are slot machines in every bar in the city in which I live in. I hate it. As an addictive gambler, this makes it very hard to go out. Although I've quit, they are still staring at me whenever I walk into a bar. It's not fun. I don't like thinking about spending all my money when I shouldn't be. If I lived where gambling was illegal, I wouldn't have this issue. It's something to think about.

But it doesn't necessarily have to be that drastic. Sometimes the best prevention is simply moving to a better neighborhood, or getting a different job It's all possible if you really want to change things for the better.

Sometimes it's your co-workers that are doing the damage. Get a different job. If it's your friends that are pressuring you, stop hanging out with them. Don't answer their texts. Find friends that lead healthier lifestyles. Sounds difficult, but there are more of them than what you think. Most people don't abuse anything. Most people lead normal lives.

Education is the main component. The more you know, the better off you'll be. That's the bottom line.