History tells us prohibition doesn't works. Those working with youth are all too aware of this fact. They know it's hard to prevent all teenagers from experimenting with alcohol or drugs.
But strong family connections, community networks and a family-based approach to addiction can delay the age of exposure and ensure it stays within the realm of experimentation.
It's the type of open and informed discussion community organizations need to have on a regular basis.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, was in Richmond Wednesday night to facilitate such a conversation, hosted by Richmond Addiction Services Society (RASS).
"What really raises my blood pressure is when I hear terms like 'serviceresistant' applied to teenagers," said Turpel-Lafond.
"Well, are there actually services in place that they're resisting? People have this bias against teenagers, they think they're difficult. We need to change that conversation, there are some serious reasons for youth addiction and we need to have the whole family involved."
Self-medicating Both Turpel-Lafond and Rick Dubras, executive director of RASS, point to self-medication as one of the main reasons youth take substance use beyond experimentation.
"It raises some significant questions about access to a good mental health care system and community support," said Turpel-Lafond.
Last year, the RASS Youth and Family counseling program saw 266 Richmond youth clients, amounting to 680 sessions. Alcohol and marijuana are the most common substances among Richmond youth.
"It cuts across all schools, all ages, all ethnicities," said Dubras. "They can find it helps with their depression or anxiety, or any other low-lying mental health issue. Alcohol makes friends."
Addiction is usually found once school counselors start addressing other problems, such as sleeping all the time or slipping grades. Of RASS' 266 youth last year, 201 of them were referrals from schools.
"Addiction is a bad word," said Dubras. "We want to make the distinction between substance use and substance misuse, so kids don't see it as a medical disorder and so there's nothing in the way of somebody getting help.
"Rarely will a young person be diagnosed with an addiction, but instead it's substance use disorder."
It's a family affair Turpel-Lafond explored the effects of stigma from addiction on families. Many times Dubras has seen situations where parents are reluctant to join the counseling session due to their own biases or expect a counselor to "fix the problem."
However, both Turpel-Lafond and Dubras emphasize the importance of having the whole family involved, as it affects that whole group.
"Substance use goes beyond the child and includes upbringing, certain stresses in the household they might be dealing with, there are a variety of things," he said.
Dubras encourages parents to look at their own habits and reasons they turn to substances whether it be a glass of wine at dinner, to celebrate an event or to mourn a loss, as the child picks up on these behaviours.
All substance use has the potential to be problematic, and the child needs to understand
the distinction between use and misuse. "Helping the family function is the most important thing," said Dubras. "If there's a strong relationship, there's more trust and influence."
Building a network The community also has a role to play in ensuring youth addiction is prevented. If a youth becomes more involved in their surrounding community, they're less likely to try substances, according to Turpel-Lafond. It delays the age of exposure to substances.
"If experimenting starts between 12-13, the outcomes are severely compromised and leads to other risky behaviours like cigarette smoking or driving under the influence," she said. "They are also more likely to become dependant on the substances."
Studies indicate meaningful community engagement, family connection and friends with healthy attitudes about substance use are protective factors from youth addiction.
"Participation in organized sports, especially for girls, is a huge factor," she said. "So let's look at these girls, and maybe push them to join the school's volleyball team."
Communities should devise low-cost programs for youth to engage them and help if there's a problem, rather than get outside help.
"You can have a strong family with an addiction, if they're accessing community support," said Turpel-Lafond. "As long as the family has a pathway to support when things go sideways, they can be perfectly functional."
Many school programs employ fear tactics over information-based approaches, according to Turpel-Lafond. Youth become frightened by the images of addicts they see and are less likely to seek help if they think they have a problem.
Concern over liquor laws Of particular worry for the youth advocate is the current debate on liquor laws in B.C, which looks to make alcohol accessible in grocery stores. Studies conducted by the provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall indicate a positive relationship between alcohol availability and consumption.
However, as one attendee pointed out, availability might increase consumption, but there are more systemic issues that cause addiction. Hunger (looking for appetite-suppressant drugs), disability and homosexuality (looking to cope with isolation) are some of the reasons youth turn to substances.
Agreeing with the response, Turpel-Lafond emphasized the importance of a strong community network. Increased availability could encourage those youth with a tendency towards addiction.
"We need to have a discussion on the impact this can have on youth and addiction," she said. "It could be pretty devastating to young people who live in communities without a strong network and access to services. "We need a provincial mandate to protect our youth. Childhood is only 932 weeks, it's short. We need to seize the moment."
