Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Teens: Overview

Adolescents become dramatically more vulnerable to physical and psychological injury when they use and/or abuse alcohol and drugs. The detrimental effect that substance abuse has on the well-being of minors cannot be overstated. Clearly, the personal fallout that addicted minors experience soon takes on greater significance as the social consequences of these behaviors surface in our communities. Numerous governmental and private studies have substantiated connections between alcohol and drug abuse and negative outcomes, which can include but are not limited to:

Decreased academic performance

Increased risk of physical injury or death

Increased sexual risk-taking behaviors

Increased risk of physical or sexual assault, either as perpetrator or victim

Increased delinquent behaviors such as property damage, truancy, etc.

The primary goal of this program is to provide participants with the skills, abilities, and knowledge base needed to optimally perform their duties. Students will be given information that will not only hone their technical and procedural skills, but will also reinforce the notion that they are, perhaps most importantly, protectors of youth and the communities in which they live. Participants will be trained to enforce the law in a manner which is compassionate, effective, and responsive to the needs of children and their families.