Shelby County youth have greater access to drugs and are more likely to try drugs than other students around the nation.
According to a study produced by the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition, 29 percent of Shelby County students reported being offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property. The national average is 19.8 percent.
The number of middle and high school students in Shelby County who have tried drugs – including marijuana, cocaine and inhalants – exceeded state and national averages.
Substance use among youth can lead to problems at school, worsen mental health and physical-related issues, create poor relationships with peers, and put stress on the family.
Substance use, abuse, and dependence can negatively impact every part of an individual’s life, and this is why it is crucial to intervene early in the lives of our youth to prevent abuse, support our young people, and give them the tools they need to choose the right path.
For more information on how you can join the fight for prevention, go to MemphisAddictionHelp.org. A collaboration between Church Health and Christ Church United Methodist, Memphis Addiction Help serves as a single source for all things related to treatment and recovery services in Memphis and West Tennessee.
This is Butch Odom for Church Health.