We talk a lot about the effect peer pressure has on teens.
But do you ever think about the role good mentors can play in the lives of young people?
From older cousins, to teachers, and coaches, all mentors can influence your teens’ worldview and how they look at drugs.
In fact, experts have studied mentorship as a substance misuse prevention strategy for years.
The literature review, Mentoring for Preventing and Reducing Substance Use and Associated Risks Among Youth, created by the National Mentoring Research Center, explores research surrounding youth mentoring and its connection to drug use.
After reviewing one set of studies, authors of the publication concluded:
“There is promising evidence that natural mentoring may contribute to reductions in marijuana and illicit drug use, although without studies comparing the effects of natural to programmatic mentoring, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions.”
And ...
“It is possible that programmatic mentoring may be more useful for primary prevention, where the goal is to delay substance use initiation or to reduce the use of substances until a young person is of legal age.”
Get Involved
January is National Mentoring Month. Each year, the MENTOR organization celebrates by raising the awareness about the importance of good mentors.
Visit their website to learn more, and to find out how you can become a mentor to young person near you.