VALLEY — Over the past few weeks, I’ve been happy to see the newspaper’s series on addiction-related topics. Drug and alcohol abuse has had a real impact on our Valley, and I think it’s really important to shed light on the extent of the problem, as well as all of the resources available to help combat it. As a youth development professional, I often think about the impact these issues have on youth, and how we can work to prevent youth drug and alcohol use.

One important way we can help our youth avoid risky behaviors is to work on putting protective factors in place. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), protective factors are “individual or environmental characteristics, conditions, or behaviors that reduce the effects of stressful life events.” Studies show that having these factors in place also helps youth avoid risks, like drug use, and build life skills that help them be productive members of the community.

Parents have a key role in putting protective factors into place, but all adults can support local youth by lending a hand. According to the CDC, one important protective factor is positive parenting practices. Youth need adults in their lives that care for them, connect with them, and spend time with them. They also need to be heard, and be able to have real conversations with the adults in their lives.

Another important protective factor, according to the CDC is school connectedness. This means that students believe that those around them at school, adults and fellow students, care about their learning and also about them as individuals. Youth who feel connections to their school are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. They also have better grades and test scores. When parents are engaged in their child’s school and partner with the school to help their child succeed, these benefits are reinforced.

Having community support is also a key protective factor. That can mean access to services in times of need to prevent major disruptions in the lives of our youth. It also means strong personal networks for people to reach out for help, and to lend support to others. In our community we also have a ton of organizations providing support through offering positive youth development opportunities, and enabling youth to explore their interests and build their skills. 4-H is one of these organizations.

Colorado State University Extension, who runs 4-H, is just one of many organizations who have partnered together to help put protective factors in place in our communities. We have a strong local network of prevention coalitions that bring community organizations together to help prevent substance abuse, and increase healthy lifestyle choices among youth and adults.

These groups host events and foster programming to help achieve their goals, including fun family event, as well as educational talks and workshops. Check out your county’s prevention coalition for resources, events and information. Find information on all the SLV coalitions at the San Luis Valley Prevention Network’s website at https://sanluisvalleyprevention.org, or by searching for your local coalition on the web or via social media. The more people in the SLV who are engaged in this issue, the stronger our collective efforts to tackle it will be.

Amy Henschen is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Colorado State University Extension. To find out more about Extension and the 4-H program visit http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu or call 719-852-7381.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.