NIDA in their Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents Guide speaks to this issue. To begin addressing specific risk factors in a young child's life that lead to drug and alcohol abuse  it advises intervening as early as the preschool age¹ . In fact, the preschool age is an ideal time to initiate prevention programs to young children. Not only are there specific risk and protective factors that can be addressed at this age, but it is becoming an increasingly accessible group to target.

The Growth of Preschools
Within the last decade, the number of parents enrolling their children in structured preschool programs has grown markedly. One statistic reveals, from 1991 to 1999, the number of preschoolers who were involved in a center-based child care increased 59.3% ². The State of Preschool 2007 Report, issued by The National Institute for Early Education Research, reported enrollment for state-sponsored preschools (38 states currently fund state-sponsored preschools ) had reached an all time high, topping one million children. This was an increase of more than 80,000 children from the previous year (and, these numbers represent only state-funded programs) ³. It is clear preschool is becoming an increasingly influential experience on a young child's life and is becoming a significant part of early academic and social preparation.

Risk and Protective Factors
As an increasing number of children attend preschool, it is an excellent time for prevention programs to "step in" and address this growing population. While many outside of the prevention field might wonder how to appropriately introduce drug and alcohol education to 3-5 year olds, those in prevention understand there are age-appropriate methods to meet the prevention needs of young children. In early childhood, many risk and protective factors which lead to or protect children from substance abuse can be addressed (see list below). Addressing these risk factors early prevents them from becoming crystallized or leading to more significant problems.

Effective early childhood programs can provide children with a better chance of avoiding behaviors and attitudes that may lead to future substance abuse.  

For more information:

growingupstrong.org
swpc.ou.edu

NOTE: The Southwest Prevention Center will soon be offering an online course that addresses Substance Abuse Prevention in Early Childhood.