Preventing Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Harris C. Faigel MD1
1 Director, University Health Services, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston
We know that some societies and some cultures have less alcoholism and drug abuse than others. Their experience suggests that children do best when they grow up in a community that uses alcohol, tobacco, and drugs responsibly, with parents who have equally responsible attitudes about these chemicals and expectations that their children will follow suit, and with low peer pressure for abuse. If we can develop a common goal of responsible use of these chemicals within our polymorphous society, we may be able to reduce, and even prevent, some alcohol and drug abuse in America.
