Position Statement - SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
National PTA’s commitment to the health and welfare of all children and youth is the basis for its long-time support of alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse education, treatment, and prevention efforts.
The solution to the problem of alcohol and drug abuse requires a sustained and collaborative effort on the part of agencies and organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. National PTA believes in strong efforts to prevent substance abuse.
National PTA reaffirms its support for:
- Comprehensive prevention and treatment programs that provide current and accurate information on all aspects of alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse, including illegal and over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and performance-enhancing substances and supplements;
- Prevention programs that have an appropriate parent involvement component;
- Recreational and educational programs that offer alternatives to help prevent substance abuse among children and youth;
- Inclusion of substance abuse education in comprehensive school health programs;
- PTA/PTSA education programs and advocacy efforts that address "look-alike" drugs, which are deliberately manufactured to resemble dangerous controlled substances;
- Responsible advertising of alcohol, prescription, and non-prescription substances.
This position statement was written to update and combine resolutions and position statements concerning “Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment”. The original resolutions and position statements will be archived in the Historical Records as reference on this issue.
