According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Prevention and early intervention strategies can reduce the impact of substance use and mental disorders in America’s communities.

“Prevention activities work to educate and support individuals and communities to prevent the use and misuse of drugs and the development of substance use disorders. Substance use and mental disorders can make daily activities difficult and impair a person’s ability to work, interact with family, and fulfill other major life functions.

“Mental and substance use disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability in the United States. Preventing mental and/or substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders and related problems is critical to behavioral and physical health.”

What is ‘misuse?’ Misuse describes when you take a prescribed medication for purposes other than intended or being unsafe when taking them (increasing dosage, sharing with others, driving, or operating equipment when under the influence).

Misuse can also describe underage drinking, use of marijuana/cannabis products without proper license or doctor’s recommendation, and use of illicit drugs at any time.

Do you want to talk about risk factors and protective factors?

Over years of study, many risk and protective factors for substance use disorders have been identified.

As their name implies, risks increase the chances someone will develop substance use disorder as an adult, and the protective factors decrease that likelihood.

One of the most recognizable is early use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or non-medical marijuana/ cannabis products.

Exposing a developing brain to these habit-forming chemicals can create neural pathways that shortcut the normal reward system.

The young brain learns that it does not have to be responsible, self-disciplined, or put forth effort to experience these feelings.

Once the behaviors that lead to responsible adulthood are no longer reinforced or practiced, the young person is more likely to repeat the substance use.

This makes them more vulnerable to the development of a substance use disorder.

Some common risk factors are availability of drugs (including tobacco) within the home, parental involvement or favorable attitudes about the substances, and a family history of substance use disorder.

Parents who permit the use of alcohol or other substances at home are not decreasing the chances of substance use disorder.

Kids who have friends who use the substances and who have favorable attitudes about use are more likely to try them.

The opposite of these factors can decrease the risk, so pay attention to your home situation, your own behaviors, your own attitudes, and your kids’ friendships.

One of the best protective factors is positive time spent with parents/caregivers.

Be available for your kids and plan to interact with them, not just enjoy being entertained together. A conversation is more beneficial than watching a movie or sports event.

As you have read above our primary focus is to educate communities on the harmful effects of misusing drugs and alcohol.

Our goal is to prevent people from even trying a drug.

It is crucial to help our youth and adults understand the significant dangers of drug use and all the effects it can have on your brain and your body.

At the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, we are working hard to help prevent your community members from trying drugs or alcohol.

We would love for you to join in and help keep your community safe from the damage that drug use causes.

We want to increase the county’s ability to continue these prevention efforts long-term, so we want to bring all the necessary partnerships and resources together.

If you want to join us or feel that you have a role to play in our work, please contact us or attend a coalition meeting.

If you would like to join in on the prevention efforts, please contact kendra@swoda.org and she will get you connected with the coordinator that is working in your community.

For more information about the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery program at the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, visit https:// www. swoda. org/substance-use-prevention- treatment- and- recovery/ prevention/ odmhsas.

This program is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SWODA and local coalitions.

Kendra Gift is the assistant project manager for prevention for the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority.