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• What can I do to keep my child from using alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs?
• Are some people more likely to develop problems with substance abuse than others?
• Why should we continue to spend tax money on the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug problems?
• What if we're past the prevention stage? Someone I know has already begun abusing alcohol or using illicit drugs. What can I do?

What can I do to keep my child from using alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs?

Learn the facts about substance abuse. Talk with your child about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs Get to know your child's friends. Teach your child that substance use is not the road to a glamorous lifestyle. Be the best role model you can. Remember it all starts with you. This is not the duty of the teachers in school, the religious leaders or the government. These other agencies can only augment your efforts as a parent

Are some people more likely to develop problems with substance abuse than others?

Yes, certain populations are at higher risk for substance abuse,particularly those with family members who abuse alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Some warning signs for youth are that they:

• have no positive, consistent adult role models
• are doing poorly in school
• are involved in delinquent behavior and/or belong to gangs, and/or
• live with substance-abusing parents or have parents in the criminal justice system

Warning signs for adults include

• a family history of alcohol and/or substance abuse, and/or
• peers who use alcohol (or other illegal substances) excessively

Why should we continue to spend tax money on the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug problems?

Prevention works! Substance abuse problems not only cause health problems and heartbreak, they cost Kenyans money. For every shilling spent on drug abuse prevention, communities can save many more shillings in costs for the inevitable drug abuse treatment and counseling.

What if we're past the prevention stage? Someone I know has already begun abusing alcohol or using illicit drugs. What can I do?

Even if someone is beyond the prevention stage and has already begun abusing alcohol or using illicit drugs all is not lost. Get this person information on the drug they are using and what it does to them. Set boundaries and penalties after explaining why for continued alcohol or illicit drug use. Then stick to them. Do not issue threats you will not be able to carry out. Let whoever is using the alcohol or illicit drugs also start bearing the burden of the consequences e.g. being arrested.

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