Feel lost and confused?

At a very early age, children often feel lost and confused. They wonder who they are and what their role is going to be in life.  Research has proven that ssomewhere between the ages of seven to twelve years of age most children will experience a situation in which they will drink alcohol or use drugs.. If that drink makes them feel immeasurably better about themselves and their surroundings, they will very likely seek out more alcohol or some other substance to continue that seductive, illusionary feeling of well being. While treatment for chemical dependency can be effective, the relapse rate is high. The most sensible long term solution to this problem is early prevention - accomplished through education, positive role modeling and counseling - especially with children seven to twelve, the most vulnerable group for the onset of the disease of addiction. Jerry Moe is the National Director of Children's Programs at the Betty Ford Center