Posted by Pytor Hodgson
I received a Facebook message from a 16 year old in the north at the beginning of this month, who was struggling to stay clean and sober. He was “feeling weak” he shared. He was far from those closest to him and he was feeling isolated. After some online conversation we got to a place where he knew and understood that these feelings would pass. I reminded him he was courageous to reach out, and that is what was going to keep him making healthy choices for himself. We typed back and forth and I was able to share the information I had and that I knew was true: No, not everyone does it. Yes, there are some suggestions that using at your age can have lasting effect on your brain, and it can put you at risk. No, it doesn’t make you a bad or weak person if you use. But if you don’t want to use, you can still make that choice right now. We talked about how by making this choice now in his life, not to use, it might prevent a time when using is no longer a choice he can freely make.
Now, eight days later, he’s still clean and sober.
A few weekends ago, I had a similar conversation with a 15 year old. He too was struggling with not using drugs. He shared he hadn’t used for three weeks and that he really didn’t want to be using anymore. He said when he uses he doesn’t do anything else that’s positive in his life, and with a recent family member with a serious addiction that he witnessed first hand, he doesn’t want to go down that path.
We talked about the reality that was the simple answer: don’t hang around those people who are using…well that’s near impossible! They are his life long friends, they live in the same neighborhood, and they are always at his house, either visiting him or his family. Just not hanging with them is not the reality.
At best, I offered that if the time came when he was feeling pressure, where he just couldn’t say no and needed an escape, he could call me. I shared this video with him (a great and inspiring message from the Chiefs of Ontario and CAMH that is worth watching) and since we had already previously talked about what science says around drugs, I simply left it at that.
I followed it up later with a text, thanking him for talking with me, and for being brave, open and honest. I reminded him that when young people reach out, it doesn’t just help them, it helps us as helpers too. We are given a gift of being able to share, motivate and support young people in our lives and work and are reminded what courage looks like.
With stories of these young people, watching the news or following along in social media, it could be suggested that young people’s use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs is at an epidemic rate. A crisis and tipping point in fact. The problem is, too often facts are left out of the conversation , and even more so in conversations with youth about tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
That is the crisis: we are not talking and sharing accurate information with young people.
We want to change that. We want teachers, social workers, support workers, youth workers, and community workers – anyone who works alongside youth and young adults – to be able to have these conversations. To be able to provide real information and have real dialogue about tobacco, alcohol and drugs with young people they serve and support.
Talking helps. For example, how best to address the growing fad about NekNominations, the online challenge that has young people drinking alcohol and preforming video taped stunts…then nominating their friends to do the same. Talk about it.
I’ve been sharing with youth I know, including the two young people who I mentioned earlier, about RAKNominations and sharing videos about that. Someone countered the risky drinking game with the suggestion that you preform a random act of kindness, film that and then nominate two friends to do the same.
I’ve shared with them about reported deaths and injuries as a result of the NekNominations and make sure they have the facts about binge drinking so if they are ‘nominated’, they can make the choice that is right for them. You too can talk to youth you know and support about tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
On March 19th, between 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM join Pytor and Dale for a day of learning, sharing, and skills building as they provide up to date and accurate research on the topic of youth’s tobacco, alcohol and drug use, and meaningful ways to engage with and talk to youth on the subject.
Through interactive exercises, large and small group discussions and engaging storytelling and experience sharing, this session will highlight existing assets you and your organization have while providing new ideas, skills and resources for you to use with your work with young people.
Learn More about Substances Speak Let’s Talk Poster A Three Things Capacity Building Session or simply register here. If you would like this day long capacity building session in your community be sure to contact us and we will work together to make it happen!