Public Health in Schools

1489 Words3 Pages

Do you or someone you know, know a teenager who engages in unhealthy habits such as poor nutrition, misuse of drugs or alcohol, and practices unsafe sexual habits? Keeping programs that help adolescents tackle these issues in an informed manner are all necessary to help model positive behaviors in everyday life. Programs such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) and The Boy and Girls Club of America help to educated children and teens in terms of making informed decisions on their overall health and wellbeing. Research studies provide evidence that promoting and establishing healthy behaviors for younger people are more effective, and often easier than efforts to change unhealthy behaviors already established in adulthood. It is in the communities best interest to properly educate teens on the importance of maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle through the use of classes and other educational programs in schools, community outreach programs, and through public service announcements such as television and other forms of media. To begin, public health has a longstanding history in attempting to get involved in the daily lives of people in our society. In 1919, prohibition began the first attempt at government interference when it came to drugs an alcohol. After the abolishment of prohibition, drugs became a main focus as far as public health was concerned. The United States faced its first drug epidemic in the beginning of the 20th century, and its second during the 1970's. During the discovery of new drugs such as morphine, heroin, and cocaine, our society has attempted to find a solution for drug abuse and addiction in the country. During the 1960s, drugs like marijuana, amphetamines, and psychedelics gained popula... ... middle of paper ... ...-414. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 2, 2014. Kumar R, O'Malley P, Johnston L, Laetz V. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Prevention Programs in U.S. Schools: A Descriptive Summary. Prevention Science [serial online]. December 2013;14(6):581-592. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 3, 2014. Landau, Elizabeth, CNNMoney's Melanie Hicken, Aaron Smith, Jen Christensen, and Miriam Falco. "CVS Stores to Stop Selling Tobacco." CNN. Cable News Network, 05 Feb. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2014. . Stigler M, Neusel E, Perry C. SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND REDUCE ALCOHOL USE AMONG YOUTH. Alcohol Research & Health [serial online]. June 2011;34(2):157-162. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed aFebruary 3, 2014.

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