A). Consequences of Family Dysfunction and Substance Abuse
Thelma, a 16 year old girl, suspected that her father had a drug problem but never knew it for certain. One day, she found out from some friends at school that her father used to buy crack cocaine from a known dealer. She agonized for over a week about whether she should tell her mother. She eventually did. Her mother asked Thelma's father to leave the house and filed for a divorce. Thelma felt that the breakup of the family was her fault.
Read the article on http://www.aaets.org/article230.htm that discusses behavioral, medical, educational, and emotional consequences of family dysfunction and substance abuse.
Read the following article http://www.cigna.com/healthwellness/hw/medical-topics/teen-alcohol-and-drug-abuse-tp17749 on Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse, paying particular attention to the Why Some Teens Abuse Alcohol and Drugs and Prevention Strategies sections.
Answer the following:
o Did Thelma do the right thing by revealing her knowledge of her father's drug use to her mother? Explain why.
o What behavioral and emotional consequences might Thelma experience as a result of her situation?
o What risk factors for teen substance abuse are present in Thelma's life?
o What practical action would you recommend for Thelma to fight against the guilt and anger she feels about the situation with her father?
o What practical action would you recommend for Thelma's mother to reduce Thelma's risk for substance abuse?
B). Child Abuse in Homes of Substance Abusers Create a two- to three-page plan. by Wednesday, December 2, 2015.
Research clearly indicates a connection between substance abuse and child maltreatment. Among confirmed cases of child maltreatment, 40 percent involve the use of alcohol or drugs. An estimated 480,000 children are mistreated each year by a caretaker who has alcohol or drug problems. Additionally, alcohol and drug problems are factors in a majority of cases of emotional abuse and neglect.
Answer the following:
o Given these statistics, why do you think a more concerted effort is not made in the media to make citizens aware of the association between substance abuse and child abuse?
o Choose one of the following audiences, and describe a plan to heighten awareness of this problem:
o Grade and high school students
o Parent or child organizations such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts
o Welfare recipients
o Include three action points for implementing this awareness plan nationwide to the chosen audience. Be sure to specify:
o Who will deliver the information?
o How will the information be delivered?
o What systems will be put in place for support if needed by participants?
o Include one additional action point to address prevention strategies in the population chosen above.