COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, also known as LRADAC, is warning parents ahead of the summer months about children starting to experiment with substance use.
As school lets out for the summer, kids will have more time on their hands.
More time to relax can sometimes lead to boredom. LRADAC Director of Prevention Ashley Bodiford says this can lead to young people trying different substances for the first time.
“Oftentimes, it's done so just out of experimentation out of a kind of wondering what things are, what that what they feel like, but also matched with lessened supervision. We know a lot families have to work, and they can't stay home all day, every day during the summer months to monitor and be aware of everything that's happening in their young person's life," Bodiford explained. "It just provides opportunities more than school days do, most of the time to engage in those risky behaviors.”
A group of scientists, including some from the Medical University of South Carolina, published a study in the National Library of Medicine at the beginning of this month, explaining that the summer months are when some children will initiate substance use, and the most common age group to start experimenting is in middle school.
“Generally, that looks like about 12 to 13 years of age, is when young people report starting to experiment. That could just be a couple of sips of an alcoholic beverage, maybe trying to vape for the first time, maybe trying marijuana for the first time," Bodiford said.
LRADAC, local sheriff’s departments, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) all have tips and resources to help families.
The biggest tip from LRADAC leadership, however, was for parents.
“You don't want to be accusatory, and that's why we want to we want to engage parents and people that are with young people and how to have those healthy conversations," Bodiford stated. "This appears, you know, concerned and available and, and ready to have that conversation which is really important.”
LRADAC will be hosting a Rock the Block event this Saturday, June 1, to give more resources and information to the community while also hosting some sober summer fun.