WHAT I WISH I HAD
KNOWN...
Lessons shared by the heroin prevention Family Advisory Group, each of whom has suffered the gravity of loss that follows heroin addiction. It is their hope to give the gift of hindsight to other families.
-
I wish I had known that loving, caring families are not immune from heroin addiction.
-
I wish I had known that just because my child was getting good grades didn’t mean he/she was not using heroin.
-
I wish I had known that the pain medication prescribed for my son after the removal of his wisdom teeth would be a gateway drug to his heroin addiction.
-
I wish I had known that reputable professionals can be unaware or even negligent in pain med prescriptions.
-
I wish I had known that a traditional college dorm is one of the worst environments for someone prone to addiction.
-
I wish I had known to get help immediately; if the addict doesn’t want help, then you should get help.
-
I wish I had known that siblings and peers collude to not tell.
-
I wish I had known that my son’s self-centered, destructive, abusive behavior was the voice of heroin addiction.
-
I wish I had known that addiction is genetically based – it runs in families.
-
I wish I had known that drug use can be a form of self-medication for depression, anxiety or elevated mood.
-
I wish I had known to trust my gut instinct.
-
I wish I had known to push for rehab instead of listening to him say that he’ll go when he’s ready.
-
I wish I had known that heroin addiction happens to normal families.
The alarming rise in heroin use among teenagers is especially prevalent in the Chicago area suburbs. This public health crisis affects everyone, and requires a whole community response. Thank you for your interest in keeping our kids healthy, and your part in heroin prevention.
What are the facts?
The Research
The Robert Crown Center for Health Education (RCC), in partnership with the Reed Hruby Foundation commissioned original research about the heroin crisis. The research was conducted by the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy and provides the basis for RCC’s heroin prevention education. The goal of the program is to stop the alarming trend of heroin abuse across America.
What the research found:
More than one third of the research sample began using heroin while they were in high school; those who used in high school were from all socioeconomic groups.
What the research participants had to say:
“I was not a big risk taker as a kid. They can’t picture me using heroin. My mom was putting ribbons in my hair in fifth grade and curling my hair.”
Research Report:
Understanding Suburban Heroin Use
Research Executive Summary:
Understanding Suburban Heroin Use
Source: Robert Crown Center Reed Hruby Heroin Prevention Project/IL: Consortium on Drug Policy
What can I do?
Talk early – talk often!
Study after study indicates that parents remain the primary influencer of their kids. Parents have more
Be Aware of Risk Factors for Drug Abuse
Risk factors include those individual or social factors associated with an increased likelihood of a negative
Integrate Protective Factors for Drug Abuse into Your Family
Protective factors appear to balance and buffer the negative impact of existing risk factors.
Recognize that Prescription Pain Medications Can Lead to Heroin Use
Prescription pain medications are necessary and effective when used as directed by a physician.
News & Events
RCC Heroin Prevention Educational Pilot
Read about RCC’s heroin prevention educational pilot in the Chicago Tribune.
