| The problem of substance abuse, so rampant in our society is wreaking havoc in many communities. The problem seems all the more ominous when it affects young people, our future leaders. In spite of the best efforts of law enforcement, social service agencies and medical facilities, the problem continues unabated.;For young people, prevention seems to be the most practical way to address this malady. Making the youth of our society aware of the dangers of illicit drug use may to a great extent make some inroads into preventing its onset. In addition, some of the underlying deficiencies in the life of potential users must be addressed. Some of these reasons may involve poor self-perception, lack of cultural awareness, negative peer-pressure and poor parent-child relationships. Parents too must be made to understand that they play a vital role in the prevention process. In the past too many of the prevention programs centered on the life of the young people alone, without giving proper cognizance to the role of the parent(s) in the process.;One of the ways in which substance abuse prevention can be addressed is through education for both parents and youth. Education for each of these groups may give them greater insight into the causes and the life-threatening dangers of substance abuse. And equally important, the relationship role each of them may play in either retarding or promoting the abuse of substances.;One of the ways in which substance abuse education for parents and youth can be facilitated is through workshops. In discharging its social as well as its spiritual obligation to communities, the church is a logical place for these educational sessions to be conducted. The Church is the place many community residents look to for assistance with problems that jeopardize the well-being of society.;The substance abuse prevention workshops have the capacity to both dispense information and instruction, and give the attendees a sense of partnering with the Church in the solution of a problem that has such dire consequences. |
