AHS Views

Although experimenting with drugs is getting more common among young teenagers, you don’t really expect them to be into a full blown addiction by the time they’re 16. However, officials in Lousiana, recognizing the need to curb drug problems in kids younger than those who would come to adult drug court at 17 years old, knew better: A year ago they started the Lafourche Parish Juveline Drug Court program to get younger kids the  addiction help they need.

Statistics show that the earlier alcohol and drug problems start the higher the chances of the person continuing to be an addict through adulthood. The statistics also show that the earlier the problem is caught and dealt with through addiction help, the better the chances of staying permanently clean.

A lot of parents, unfortunately, still see using drugs and, especially, alcohol, as a phase kids go through. I think the statistics speak for themselves. Getting addiction help services for kids early on will help prevent a ruined life as an adult.