TO:                             Newscasters                                                    

DATE:                        5/3/12

CONTACT:                Kyle Lambert, Prevention Educator

CONTACT INFO:      (607) 737-5218
                           klambert@trinityofchemungcounty.org

There is a Strong Correlation Between Bullying and Substance Abuse          

Elmira, NY- Trinity of Chemung County, a not-for-profit substance abuse and chemical dependency treatment and prevention agency, is working to raise awareness of the relationship between bullying and substance abuse among local elementary, middle, and high school students.

Recent studies have provided evidence of a correlation between bullying and substance abuse.  Both bullies and victims are statistically more likely to engage in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use than adolescents with no ties to bullying.

With a stronger correlation among young girls, bullying victims have increased rates of depression, low self-esteem, and social isolation, all of which are root causes for substance abuse.  A 2005 study released by the Oregon Research Institute found that verbal harassment during the middle school years results in a three fold increase in the likelihood of alcohol use in high school.

In their efforts to combat this problem Trinity is employing the Life Skills program in manyChemungCountyschools.  Life Skills is an evidence based program shown to reduce rates of substance abuse by focusing on various factors that lead to first use.

“We discuss assertiveness, social skills, decision making, and a lot of other topics that relate to both substance abuse and bullying,” said Kyle Lambert, Prevention Educator at Trinity of Chemung County.  “With the recent attention on girl-on-girl bullying in the area we think it is important to recognize the effects this sort of behavior can have,” he added.

The Life Skills program is currently being implemented in nine schools inChemungCounty.  If you have any questions or would like more information on Trinity, the Life Skills program, or other drug and alcohol related information, please contact (607) 737-5218.

Trinity of Chemung County provides quality, effective services in the areas of: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment of the disease of chemical dependency and abuse for individuals and their families.