Recently, the We Can Be Drug Free Coalition staff conducted a Focus Group with ten students who are currently in the 7th and 8th Grade in Poplar Bluff. The findings from this Focus Group were insightful, and the staff learned a lot about how the youth perceive substance use. One of the questions we asked the youth during this Focus Group was “How many adults vape in Poplar Bluff?” Over half of the participants in the focus group shared that they believed that over 50 -60% of adults in Poplar Bluff vape. A 2021 study published by the CDC shares that the percentage of adults over 18 who currently vape is actually 4.5%. Products – Data Briefs – Number 475 – July 2023 (cdc.gov) This was shocking to our staff and coalition because of the VAST difference in how youth think that so many more people vape than actually do. This has brought up some great conversation among our coalition about how and why this misconception has come to be and what we can do to change it. That brings us to this month’s risk factor, which is the media portrayal of substance use.
During our Life Skills classes with High School students, we do an activity with the kids by choosing a popular song off the radio and having them listen and highlight every reference to substance use in a copy of the lyrics. The kids are always shocked to see just how many references a popular song has to using substances. I challenge you, tonight when you are watching your favorite show, count how many references there are to drugs or alcohol throughout the show. I think you will be surprised to find that these references are so prevalent among the media we consume that most of the time we don’t even notice them anymore. As adults, our brains are fully developed, and we can rationally think about these television shows and songs on the radio and know that even though it may seem that everyone is using substances, that is not true. However, for many young people, their brains have not yet developed this skill. So, when they see all the adults on TV going to the bar and drinking after work, in their minds, this has become a reality for them, and this must be what all adults do.
It is easy to see in today’s culture how the media plays such a vital role in portraying substance use and how it is often overemphasized and does not paint a realistic picture of how many adults use substances. So, what can we do about it? Ultimately the very best thing we can do for our children is to talk to them about the realities of substance use and set a good example by creating positive norms in our household. It is important that we monitor our children’s media intake. Whether that be movies, tv shows, music, social media, or video games, we should be monitoring what our children are watching and listening to. Even if they don’t realize it the media portrayals are shaping their world view and perception of substance use, and these perceptions will most likely follow them into their own adulthood. As your child gets older and into the teenage years, it may seem to be too much to monitor their media usage, and at this point it is important to talk to your children about how the media can often portray things that aren’t realistic. Give them examples as you watch adult shows together and open the lines of communication to talk about what is and isn’t normal when it comes to substance use. Creating positive norms in our household is perhaps one of the most impactful things we can do as parents to prevent substance use with our children. When I say “norms” I am referring to what our kids grow up thinking is normal behavior. For example, if every night at the dinner table one parent drinks beer with their dinner that becomes the child’s “norm” and contributes to their belief system in what is acceptable behavior for an adult. If every night at the dinner table the parents drink sweet tea with their dinner, then the child will develop a different “norm”. Now, with that said, I want to mention that this is not a blog devoted to preventing adult substance use, and ultimately adults are entitled to their own opinions when it comes to making decisions about their own substance use. I am simply trying to use this point to illustrate the effect that parental substance use could potentially have on our children, even when it isn’t intentional.
In summary, the media surrounds our children and families in today’s world where technology is so deeply integrated in our lives. As parents and caregivers, it is important to be mindful of how the media can shape our children’s perceptions about the realities of substance use. We must work with our children to communicate these realities and help them develop healthy beliefs and “norms” and behaviors when it comes to substance use.