The mouths of babes: Substance abuse a growing trend in younger age groups

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Kids are finding more to entertain themselves than skateboards and video games as of late. And parents would do well to be on the lookout, site administrator for the Lakes Area Four Rivers Behavioral Health facility Judith Ervin cautions.

Ervin said overall substance abuse in the county, as well as the entire western Kentucky region, is increasing at “an alarming rate.” What’s more, Ervin said those affected and using are getting younger and younger.

“I’ve seen an 8-year-old abusing alcohol,” Ervin said. “We’ve seen a 14-year-old with exhibiting dependency, which is highly unusual.”

However, the issue is growing more frequent. Ervin said the trend is shifting to other substances, as well. In previous years, the county’s substance abuse problems centered around methamphetamine use; however, more recently, alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug use is on the rise. In juvenile use, Ervin said the problem seldom rests with one drug, but many contributing factors. Often kids succumb to peer pressure, feeling like they have to do something to fit in.

Still, a child’s environment, educational stresses, existing patterns with the family or underlying mental health problems may be major contributors, as well.

“The majority of those we see have co-occurring disorders,” Ervin said. “Something else is going on.”

Ervin said kids have just as many stress factors as adults, and those pressures may lead to using substances as an escape.

“Unfortunately, sometimes a person just feels like they can’t cope any other way,” Ervin said, “and it’s tragic.”

Onset is not sudden, however, and there are warning signs to indicate a child might be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Missing classes or poor performance in school, defensive or hostile behavior, physical changes such as red eyes or runny nose, significant mood shifts, missing money or medication in the home and increased secrecy may be indicative of a problem. The sudden appearance of expensive items or extra money in the home, or unusual odors in clothing, room or vehicle can be a clear sign, as well.

Inhalant abuse is a common trend in adolescents, Ervin said, and finding unexplained aerosols or glues in a child’s room should be cause for concern.

However, behavior is not merely limited to the home. Ervin said, despite school efficiency in reaching and educating children, drug-related activity is going on in the schools.

“They take these little Ziploc bags full of all different colored little pills to school, and they trade them,” Ervin said. “Most of the time they don’t know what they do, and they don’t see the risk of mixing some of these medications. It’s extremely dangerous.”

Making children aware of the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse is a key component in stopping the cycle. Prevention, however, should start in the home, Ervin advised.
“If it’s accessible, they’ll use it,” she said. “Monitor the medications in your home, and keep them locked up. Err on the side of caution, always.”

Parents should also maintain the lines of contact with those their children see on a daily basis, such as teachers and guidance counselors.

One of the most important things a parent should do, however, is set an appropriate example for their children. Ervin said parents have more influence on their kids than even they realize; some two-thirds of adolescents ages 13 to 17 said losing the respect and pride of their parents is one of the main reasons they choose not to use or will stop using drugs.

Ervin said giving them the skills to be a good person, responsible and a source of pride will go a long way in prevention.

“Empower your child to say no,” Ervin said. “Praise your child. Find space and time together as a family to communicate. Family is so important.”

It is important to set boundaries for children, know their friends and give them their own responsibilites. And taking time to know their children can be the difference in saving a life.

“The really dangerous thing is that kids — even very young children — can be very creative in hiding what they’re doing,” Ervin said. “It’s not always obvious. By the time it is, it has been going on for a while. Someone struggling with substance abuse has gone beyond just using. It’s become a controlling factor in their life.”

If parents discover there is a problem, Ervin said it is important to stay calm but remain active.

“Confront your child,” Ervin said. “Don’t just let it go, because it isn’t going to go away. It will not be a pleasant experience, but that’s okay. They will thank you for it later.”

Parents should also remember that the goal is not to punish, but to get their children back on track.

Four Rivers offers parenting classes, family therapy, treatment for expectant mothers and inpatient programs. And while the facility in Marshall County has closed, Ervin said there are Four Rivers clinicians in the Department for Communiity Based Services [DCBS] in Benton, available to those in the community.


If you are concerned your child or loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol, contact Four Rivers Behavioral Health at 753-6622 for more information.