Kids Escaping Drugs is Doing it's Part

                  Alcohol and drug addiction is an unrivaled problem in the “Queen City,”

but Kids Escaping Drugs is doing its part. Research has shown that addiction

to any drug is a brain disease.

                Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the

communication system and changing the way nerves normally process

information. This disease can be treated through behavioral and

pharmacological treatments. However the challenge is to make the public aware

of the problem so the addicted can get the help that they need.

              “We have reached over 125,000 students with a poignant and direct

message from the young people on our campus regarding the painful

consequences of addiction,” said Melissa Rivers, communications coordinator

for Kids Escaping Drugs. The group’s campus, located on Harlem road in West Seneca,

houses addicted adolescents from 12 to 21 years old. The campus also takes the

families of the addicts into account.

             “We serve to educate them about the disease of addiction. This education

allows the families to make changes to the home environment, which improves

the adolescents' ability to succeed,” Rivers said. Through the Face 2 Face

program, Kids Escaping Drugs has partnered with school districts all over

Western New York to help educate kids about alcohol and drug addiction.

          “This vital program has grown from six schools in the 2008-2009 school

year to over 90 schools in the past year.” Rivers said.

           Over 230 million people around the world tried an illicit drug last year – or

one in every 20 people. This is a problem that is only growing, but Kid’s

Escaping Drugs is cleaning up Western New York and giving families a second

chance. Make a Change WNY!