About the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program
Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) recently launched its Adolescent Substance Abuse Program for ages 12‐17. The intensive outpatient clinic utilizes an evidence‐based therapy called the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach or A‐CRA. This therapeutic approach guides youth to meet goals that are hindered by the use of drugs and alcohol and helps to identify motivators that are stronger than the substances they abuse. The 14‐week program includes group therapy for up to 10 participants as well as individual and family counseling. It also promotes skills to help with relapse recovery and learning to fight unhealthy peer pressure.
How Substance Abuse Affects Teens and Families in Mississippi
“Drugs and alcohol are stealing our kids away from us every day,” said Dr. John Damon, CEO of Canopy. “Substance abuse disorder is not a disease that only affects certain demographics, it runs rampant across all racial, gender, geographic, socioeconomic and age groups. This disease can rob people of their talents, their dreams and even their lives—we aim to give youth the help they need before this nightmare becomes their reality.”
Popularity of Drugs and Alcohol Among Teens Remains Alarmingly High
While the recent and repetitive use of illicit drugs and alcohol are on the decline according to 2015/2016 reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the rate of recreational and experimental use is still alarmingly high. The NIDA updates released in June 2016 show that almost 60 percent of high school seniors polled in this national study admitted to using alcohol within the past year and one‐third to experimenting with marijuana. These gateway drugs are well known for opening the doors to higher intensity drug experimentation, substance abuse and chemical dependency. In fact, studies estimate there are 1.3 million youth ages 12‐17 with a substance abuse disorder within the U.S. Frighteningly, more and more youth are suffering in silence rather than reaching out for help.
The NIDA updates show that almost 60 percent of high school seniors admitted to using alcohol within the past year and one‐third to experimenting with marijuana.
“Make no mistake, substance abuse is no respecter of persons or families – the poison works its terrible work all across our communities,” said Canopy Board Member Andy Taggart, whose son, Brad, took his own life in 2012. “This is an awful fight, against long odds. That’s all the more reason for us to engage in the fight against drugs and alcohol and win back the lives of our young people.”
Adolescent Substance Abuse Program Location and Costs
The Adolescent Substance Abuse Program is located in the Canopy Behavioral Health Clinic at 1465 Lakeland Drive in Jackson. Services are currently offered free of charge through a cooperative grant from Mississippi Department of Mental Health and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Beginning in May 2017, services will be provided in coordination with private insurance, Medicaid and on a sliding payment scale so families of all incomes and circumstances can receive the help they need.
Do you know a child who could benefit from Canopy’s Adolescent Substance Abuse Program? To find out more information or to make a referral, please call 1-800-388‐6247.