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SUBSTANCE USE

Substance use refers to the consumption of drugs or chemicals—including alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications, and illegal drugs—for their physical or psychological effects. This use can be occasional, regular, or compulsive.

Why Substance Use Is Harmful

  1. Health Risks

  2. Mental Health Effects

  3. Addiction and Dependence

  4. Impaired Judgment

  5. Academic, Work, and Social Problems

  6. Legal and Financial Consequences

  7. Harm to Others

Why Early Use Is Especially Risky

  • For teens and young adults, substance use alters brain development

  • Increases risk of lifelong addiction and mental health disorders

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PREVENTION

Some Available Resources

  • Talk. They Hear You. Campaign—Aims to reduce underage drinking and substance use among youths under the age of 21 by providing parents and caregivers with resources to discuss substance use with their children.

  • Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD)—Coordinates federal efforts to reduce underage drinking and served as a resource for the development of A Comprehensive Plan for Preventing and Reducing Underage Drinking. This committee is comprised of 15 federal agencies and is led by SAMHSA.

  • STOP Underage Drinking —This interagency website portal of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) provides research, federal and state resources, and funding opportunities to reduce and prevent underage drinking and its consequences.

  • National Prevention Week—Held in May, NPW promotes community involvement, resource sharing, and partnership engagement to increase public awareness of substance use and mental disorders. In addition, NPW provides resources to communities so they can highlight their prevention successes throughout the year.

  • Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse—This nationwide initiative provides community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and statewide or state-based organizations resources and planning stipends to organize activities that raise awareness and educate youth, families, and communities about the potentially harmful consequences of alcohol and other drug misuse among youth and young adults 12 to 25 years old. Held every year, Communities Talk events and activities mobilize communities to take action around underage drinking and substance use prevention and strengthen existing prevention programs.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI Southeast Louisiana is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. Together, they advocate for better lives for those individuals who have a mental illness.

  • Youth Mobile Crisis - In a crisis, every minute counts. That's why we're proud to announce our new Youth Mobile Crisis Program, designed to provide support when it matters most.

Contact Us:

15485 West Club Deluxe Road
Hammond, LA 70403
​
Phone: (985) 542-7138
 
Email: tracc@tangipahoa.org

© Tangipahoa TRACC Coalition

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