Great News! Last month, during Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness month, the SAMSHA presented new data that shows a drop in illicit drug use among youth! But are we really making progress on teen drug use? According to the SAMHSA 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), findings showed usage declined for nearly every type of drug, including marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, pain relievers, stimulants, and methamphetamine. Prescription drug misuse remains a concern however. Interestingly, data also showed an increase in drug use among 50- to 59-year-olds.
The level of alcohol use also dropped among 12- to 17-year-olds, from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 15.9 percent in 2007. “These new, recently declining rates in alcohol use among the youngest participants in the survey may be a leading indicator of an emerging pattern consistent with the goals of the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking,” Dr. Broderick said. See the SAMSHA website at http://www.samsha.org/ for more information on this article.
So, are those efforts by parents and the community really making the difference? And what component is most effective? Prevention, early education, drug testing? Do we have those local community DARE programs to thank for a decrease in teen drug and alcohol use? What's working in your community?
In Kern County, California it's been a joint effort of community partners coming together to pool their resources and communicate information about programs, resources and youth. I'm interested in what's working in your community?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Drug Abuse In America
Hi! Welcome to Drug Test Solutions & ID Screenings blog! We are learning as we go, so bear with us! We have been in business in Bakersfield approaching a year and the word is slowly getting out that we are here. So far we've been able to help many of the sober living homes in Bakersfield save quite a lot of money on ther instant drug tests that they use to drug test their clients. There's no place in town that can beat our prices on instant drug tests or collections. In fact, you are hard pressed to beat our prices even online at the low minimums we sell at. On top of that, we invoice customers and provide personal service. What more can a business ask?
Many people ask me, how I got here, why I opened this business? Well, I really think life leads you in directions, doors open and doors close and this door opened for me and I decided to walk in. A change in career facilitated the opportunity and voila! here I am. Lots of experience in the field definitely helped. Drug Testing, Drug Education, and DNA Testing were part of my previous career, so it only made sense to move my new career in this direction. Not to mention my own personal experience living with a child who struggled with substance abuse for a short time. What a frustrating, infuriating, helpless time that was. I wish I had known about this business then. But more about that later......My biggest learning curve with the business has been learning the marketing piece of owning a business. The busienss of sales is a very different type of skill. Luckily I have the gift of gab and I am not shy. So once I really knew my business like the back of my hand, I was able to talk to anyone about it because I was so excited about it! I really believe that is the secret to success - being excited about your product. To me it's not sales, it's sharing information about something I think everyone can use to make their life easier or better.
Another tip that is vital to getting your business off the ground is to find a mentor in a similar business. My mentor has been instrumental in the progress I have made until now and is still vital to my confidence and success. The other unavoidable action, in my opinion, is finding at least one network of people who can provide friendship, community, support and subsequently, referrals. I can't say enough about a group I have joined called BNI. This concept is international and basically consists of the idea that the more people who know and trust what you do, the more referrals you will receive based on those people recommending you to others. And you know what? It works - better than advertising in a magazine, newspaper, etc. Word of mouth is the key! Plus you make so many friends and acquaintances and learn about businesses you never knew existed.
Well, this is my beginning, more to follow......we'll talk about our many many services designed to protect business owners and families....talk to you soon!!
drugtestsolutions
Many people ask me, how I got here, why I opened this business? Well, I really think life leads you in directions, doors open and doors close and this door opened for me and I decided to walk in. A change in career facilitated the opportunity and voila! here I am. Lots of experience in the field definitely helped. Drug Testing, Drug Education, and DNA Testing were part of my previous career, so it only made sense to move my new career in this direction. Not to mention my own personal experience living with a child who struggled with substance abuse for a short time. What a frustrating, infuriating, helpless time that was. I wish I had known about this business then. But more about that later......My biggest learning curve with the business has been learning the marketing piece of owning a business. The busienss of sales is a very different type of skill. Luckily I have the gift of gab and I am not shy. So once I really knew my business like the back of my hand, I was able to talk to anyone about it because I was so excited about it! I really believe that is the secret to success - being excited about your product. To me it's not sales, it's sharing information about something I think everyone can use to make their life easier or better.
Another tip that is vital to getting your business off the ground is to find a mentor in a similar business. My mentor has been instrumental in the progress I have made until now and is still vital to my confidence and success. The other unavoidable action, in my opinion, is finding at least one network of people who can provide friendship, community, support and subsequently, referrals. I can't say enough about a group I have joined called BNI. This concept is international and basically consists of the idea that the more people who know and trust what you do, the more referrals you will receive based on those people recommending you to others. And you know what? It works - better than advertising in a magazine, newspaper, etc. Word of mouth is the key! Plus you make so many friends and acquaintances and learn about businesses you never knew existed.
Well, this is my beginning, more to follow......we'll talk about our many many services designed to protect business owners and families....talk to you soon!!
drugtestsolutions
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