Sustainable Sobriety | February 2018
Sustainable Sobriety
Addiction impacts everyone. From the one suffering chemical dependency, those in their family, as well as the community as a whole; at some level we're all touched. It's easy enough to place blame and say "oh, if they never used to begin with, we wouldn't be here", but deflecting the responsibility of recovery entirely onto the addict will only serve to further hide their compulsive behavior; leading to isolation. Please continue reading for more information on YouthZone's addiction services.
The Monkey on America's Back
Since 2001, the United States has been developing a very expensive drug habit. Opioids. These gateway drugs to heroin abuse have taken an estimated 1 trillion dollar hit to our nation's budget over the past seventeen years. Money, of course, is the least of our worries when talking about drugs. It's the lives, families, and communities that addictive chemicals affect that are of the utmost importance.

Approximately 200,000 Americans have died due to prescription opiate abuse, since 2001. On average 115 Americans die due to opioid addiction every day. In other words, roughly 5 people every hour, or 1 person every twenty minutes. We can not allow ourselves to think of these statistics as just numbers, or expenses, because these are our neighbors. It's the continued responsibility of community organizations, like YouthZone, to address the underlying causes, such as trauma, for this unacceptable overdose rate. By continuing to support YouthZone's cause you're also supporting substance use recovery.

Fortunately a large majority of our clients that are experimenting with drugs are not using opioids, if there're any at all. Typically the clients that we see are using Marijuana and Alcohol, at rates of 45% and 55% respectively. Of this total, roughly a quarter are dependent or habitual users. The biggest issue with Marijuana use at a young age deals with brain development, which doesn't stop until the age of 25. Drugs and alcohol have the potential to negatively impact your teens reading and math ability if their use begins at a young age.

Luckily 80% of Colorado's High School students don't use Marijuana, but for the 20% that do, YouthZone has group and individual drug counseling sessions. By talking about these issues we can come to healthy solutions without demonizing our children.

When discussing such sensitive topics it's extremely important, to YouthZone, that we approach solutions from a supportive place. We are not here to judge. We are not here to punish. YouthZone is solely here to help you and your child address, and overcome, the root issues related to drug and alcohol use.
Trusted Adult Program
The Trusted Adult Program, a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Education, serves to expand the reach of marijuana education through locally and culturally appropriate trainings. We hope to educate teachers, coaches, parents, and other community leaders on issues related to Marijuana in hopes of breaking down the misconceptions between youth and marijuana use. By removing the stigma, our communities can openly talk about drug issues in healthy, honest, ways.

If you're interested in becoming a 'Trusted Adult', please contact Nick Croissant:

ncroissant@youthzone.com

Drug and Alcohol Counseling: Kenny Hamburg
If you've been to YouthZone, you know Kenny Hamburg. This man exudes compassion and will always meet you with a warm smile. Kenny is our in house drug and alcohol counselor that has made it his mission in life to help those overcome their struggle with substance use, and or addiction. Thanks to his sobriety he now lives and breathes positivity and growth. If you have questions regarding your child, student, or neighbor's substance use; please contact him at:

The CDC's Opioid Statistics
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from information regarding Opiate abuse, please visit the link below.

There are plenty of statistics and resources regarding the matter.

Remember, if you're suffering from the impact of prescription drug addiction, you are not alone in this.

Proper Prescription Drug Disposal
If you have ever had questions regarding how to properly dispose of your unused prescription drugs, please visit the resource listed below for a helpful information

YouthZone | (970) 945 - 9300 | gwreception@youthzone.com | www.youthzone.com