By: Paul Martinez
Teens today are influenced by a wide range of social factors. As parents we assume that friends, television and magazines are some of the biggest influences in the choices our teens make- but that’s not always the case. With the added pressures of stress and the desire to fit in, culture and ethnicity can no longer be ignored as a factor for substance abuse amongst teens.
According to a national study conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-free America, Hispanic teens are more likely to abuse substances than any other ethnic group. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) showed a significant increase in abuse of marijuana and that Hispanic teens are more inclined to surround themselves with others who are abusing substances.
While there are services out there to help parents and teens, often times they may go underutilized as communication and socio-economic barriers hinder them from seeking help and support. As the population in Arizona becomes more diverse, programs and services must grow and adapt to meet the needs of different subgroups and cultures. Understanding the needs of these different groups is essential to preventing substance abuse and promoting healthy lives.
The good news?
With substance abuse on the rise amongst teens and the urgent need for a bi-lingual program that offers prevention and helpful tips for Hispanics, DrugFreeAz.org is offering Spanish language educational trainings for parents through its AZ Parents Connect program. These educational trainings help parents understand current drug trends, how to start the conversation about underage drinking and drug use with their child and also how to spot alcohol and drug use. In addition to DrugFreeAz.org’s in person trainings, The Partnership at DrugFree.org with support from MetLife Foundation, has launched new online tools through “HablaConTusHijos”. The website provides easy-to-use resources and tools for Spanish-speaking parents and families. It provides science-based guidance to help parents, grandparents and families learn prevention methods and understand how to communicate the dangers of substance abuse with their teen.
Included in the tool-kit is advice from experts and other parents about the following:
- Six Components of Effective Parenting
- Educational guides about prevention and the signs of substance abuse
- Media gallery with educational videos
- Tips on how to better understand and communicate with teens
- Spanish-language Grandparents Guide to ways to help keep grandchildren substance-free
A person’s home, their friends, community, culture and even their ethnicity can all have an influence-but it doesn’t have to be a negative one. With the tools provided by “HablaConTusHijos,” parents, grandparents and families can support their teen, learn to manage their behavior, become actively involved in their life and help them to lead a substance free life. If you would like to schedule a Spanish language presentation for your parent group, please call 602-264-5700 or e-mail us at Partner@DrugFreeAz.org.
