A recent poll conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov has revealed the attitudes of Americans towards drug education for children and training teenagers in administering Narcan, an over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses. The poll, which surveyed 1,636 U.S. adults online, found that almost half of Americans believe that high school students should be taught how to administer Narcan as part of their first aid training. Of the respondents, 49% supported Narcan training in high schools, with women (51%) being more supportive than men (47%). The poll also highlighted that individuals who identified as Hispanic, Democrat-leaning, or aged 65 and older were more likely to agree that students should learn how to use Narcan.
However, when it comes to educating younger children about drugs, respondents had a more conservative approach. Only 2% of respondents believed that children should never be taught about the dangers of drugs. The majority (39%) felt that drug education should be introduced in the sixth to eighth grade, followed by 22% who preferred third to fifth grade (ages 8 to 11). Additionally, 18% believed that drug education should be delayed until ninth grade or later, while 6% supported introducing it as early as kindergarten. Only 3% thought that children should learn about drugs before kindergarten, and 9% were unsure about the appropriate age.
Experts, however, recommend initiating conversations about substance abuse as early as possible. Dr. Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani, a physician specializing in substance abuse recovery, advises parents to start talking to their children about the dangers of drug use from a young age. The Partnership to End Addiction also offers scripts for parents to use with children as young as 2, gradually progressing to more age-appropriate discussions about vaping, alcohol, and various drugs. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani emphasizes the importance of teaching children to make smart decisions and stay safe, even as adults.
When discussing drugs with children, it is crucial to maintain a nonjudgmental tone and avoid lecturing or using scare tactics. Parents should ask their children what they already know about drugs and be prepared to listen without accusing. With adolescents and teenagers, it is essential to address the issue of peer pressure and collaborate on strategies to respond if offered drugs by classmates. Parents should also discuss the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit pills, which may contain the potentially fatal drug fentanyl, and using someone else’s prescription medication. To learn more about social media’s influence on young people’s access to dangerous drugs, parents can refer to a guide provided.
Despite the support for teaching high school students to administer Narcan, the poll revealed that 29% of respondents knew nothing about the life-saving treatment. Additionally, only 20% of respondents said they would consider purchasing Narcan. It is important to note that Narcan is still relatively new to the market.
