The state’s secretary of drug and alcohol programs is taking time to talk to students about substance abuse prevention.
Jennifer Smith says early intervention is one of the more important ways to help prevent addiction to drugs and alcohol.
“The majority of adults that meet the criteria for having a substance-use disorder, starting using substances during their teen and young adult years,” Smith said.
Smith added that the pandemic made it challenging to help those struggling with addiction. It also made it complicated to get necessary resources to young people who also struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
