Red Ribbon Week Promotes Drug-Free Existence for South Carolina’s Youth

Columbia, S.C. – As colleges and communities throughout South Carolina rejoice Red Ribbon Week (October 23–31), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) is reminding dad and mom, lecturers and mentors that prevention begins with open, sincere conversations.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest drug prevention marketing campaign, inspiring youth to dwell wholesome, drug-free lives. OSUS is proud to strengthen that message with its Open Conversation SC marketing campaign, a statewide effort that offers households and communities instruments to speak about substance use in supportive, stigma-free methods.

“A drug-free lifestyle opens doors to better health, stronger relationships and future opportunities,” mentioned Michelle Nienhius, Manager of Prevention & Intervention Services at OSUS. “When parents and teachers talk openly about the risks of substance use and the value of healthy choices, young people are far more likely to listen and make positive decisions.”

Through Open Conversation SC, OSUS encourages households to make communication a part of on a regular basis life. Prevention consultants suggest:

• Start early: Children start forming opinions about medicine and alcohol at a younger age. Early, age-appropriate conversations construct belief.
• Keep it open: Ask questions and pay attention with out judgment. Honest dialogue helps youth really feel secure coming to you after they face peer stress.
• Highlight the positives: Emphasize how staying wholesome helps success in sports activities, teachers and friendships.
• Model the message: Youth study from instance; present them what a balanced, wholesome way of life appears to be like like.

Research exhibits that youngsters who study in regards to the risks of medication and alcohol from their dad and mom are considerably much less doubtless to make use of them. Red Ribbon Week is a reminder that prevention isn’t about one week of actions – it’s about ongoing, supportive communication at dwelling, in colleges and locally. Resources, dialog starters and prevention suggestions can be found at www.openconversationsc.com.