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The following article appears on the NCADI website.
Please bookmark the website ncadi.samhsa.gov for resources about substance abuse prevention.
Alcohol and Drug Use Influence Academic Performance
October 1, 2005
Substance abuse has long been linked to physical and mental problems and can influence every facet of users’ lives. Now studies show that alcohol and drug use can negatively affect a student’s school performance.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported in 2002 that teenagers who received grades of D or below were more likely than those with higher grades to have used cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs. The percentages of students who admitted past month substance abuse in the study were as follows:
• 6 percent of students with an A average
• 13 percent of students with a B average
• 20 percent of students with a C average
• 36 percent of students with a D average.
In another report, NSDUH found that teenagers who enjoyed going to school, felt that their assigned schoolwork was meaningful, or who thought that what they learned in school was going to be important later in life were less likely to have used illicit drugs or alcohol compared to young people who did not have these positive attitudes towards school.
Substance abuse is clearly detrimental to a student’s success in school, but the good news is parents and other adults can take steps to prevent teenagers from using alcohol and drugs. One of the most effective ways for parents to guide youth away from alcohol and drug use is to talk with them about the dangers these substances can present.
Numerous studies show that parental disapproval is a powerful force. By learning the risks of substance abuse at an early age, children will know their parents disapprove of alcohol and drug use and may be less likely to try them. Moreover, parents should continue talking with their children about alcohol and drug use throughout the college years, when many young adults are living independently for the first time.
Parents can also encourage youth to get involved in sports, hobbies, and clubs. Teenagers who are involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to use alcohol and drugs, possibly because they develop their own interests and don’t have the spare time to experiment with drugs. NSDUH reports that the likelihood of participating in two or more youth activities was highest for those students with an A average and lowest for those with a D or less average.
Academic achievement overshadows extracurricular activities as the most significant protective factor to guard against substance abuse, according to a 2003 Adolescence study. The report found that adolescents with a low grade point average, high popularity, and high depression were more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and smoke marijuana than less popular and more academically successful peers.
Substance abuse impacts school performance. Getting good grades has always been a good idea: now getting good grades can actually be good for your health.
How Can Parents Protect Children From Substance Abuse?
Parents can take the following steps to encourage their children to avoid alcohol and drugs:
• Spend time together regularly.
• Listen and talk with your children. Try to understand the pressures placed on them and don't criticize their beliefs.
• Keep track of where your children are, what they are doing, and who their friends are.
• Get them involved in after-school activities so they won’t be able to just "hang out" with friends in the afternoon. This is when children are most likely to experiment.
• Praise or reward children often. If they feel good about themselves, they will be more
confident and better able to resist peer pressure.
• Be a positive role model for your children. Don't abuse alcohol or drugs.
BELOW ARE LINKS TO OPEN COMMON MEDICAL FORMS
Medication Procedure
CERTIFICATE OF CHILD HEALTH EXAMINATION
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