by Eliyahu Federman
This past week I was in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, for a relatives wedding and observed many young teens smoking cigarettes and drinking excessively. I even overheard a discussion about available marijuana.
There is much to love about Crown Heights community; its family orientation, outreach emphasis, the care people have for one another. But, just like any other community, it has its share of drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse.
While prevention and awareness is not an absolute remedy, studies have shown that students who went through substance abuse prevention programs were 20-65% less likely to abuse drugs between the ages of 17 and 25, when compared with those that never went through drug prevention programs.
Even students not prone to drug abuse will benefit from the transferable life skills and knowledge taught in drug abuse prevention classes.
Resisting peer influences, improving self-control, gaining knowledge of the physiological and sociological effects due to abuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs – would be beneficial to everyone.
Currently, the Crown Heights Yeshivos (schools) do not include drug abuse awareness and prevention as part of the mainstream curriculum, but perhaps it’s time the community is proactive instead of reactive.
The schools spend an inordinate amount of time and resources on things like ensuring students conform to strict dress codes requiring hats, blazers, and white shirts but have yet to implement drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention education.
Lives are at stake. Youth have faced institutionalization, deleterious health problems and untimely demises as victims of drug and alcohol addiction. Something must be done to combat the scourge of addiction.
You can only educate people about unhealthy activities, if you outlaw it we will find another way to get it. The prohibition was supposed to stop problems led by drinking, but instead it caused even more problems. we must educate!!!!!!!!!
First of all, be aware that often drugs and alcohol are taken to self medicate.Addiction on many levels is a disease and the disease model must be used- without a real education, boys and girls will only learn myths and not the facts.They need to understand how the whole family is effected and what programs are available such as Al Anon and of course AA.In my opinion, as I’ve been in the field, AA is the best. How will young kids understand all this if they NEVER get a real explanation/factual info???There has to be a school educational/informative program.Get speakers… Read more »
Unfortunately it was edited and didn’t include most of what I was trying to bring out..but thank you for responding to my comment
I have personally witnessed and experienced how, not only peers but, Bochurim-Shluchim and Hanholo will pressure boys to say more and more L’chaim. “you need to open up!”, “It will keep the Nefesh Habehamis quite”. It is hard to resist this kind of pressure. Part of this issue really, is actually a greater issue stemming from the MECHANCHIM’s own abuse and lack of respect of alcohol. How much more powerful is this influence and education then, to boys who don’t need “pushing” at all. Who have under our “Chasidish” education system from a very young age begun to enjoy and… Read more »
Early education is key. Our community is educating when its already too late. “Evidence from controlled studies, national cross-site evaluations, and CSAP grantee evaluations demonstrates that prevention programs work. Good junior high school interventions affect knowledge and attitudes about drugs, use of cigarettes and marijuana, and persist into the twelfth grade.” “Examples of CSAP prevention successes are encouraging. A Cornell University study of six thousand students in New York state found that the odds of drinking, smoking, and using marijuana were 40 percent lower among students who participated in a school-based substance-abuse program in grades seven through nine than among… Read more »
Well written piece which covers an accurate picture and highlights a need, but the main reasons schools can’t do this is because they have NO curriculum. Oh, they have subjects and they teach page after page of a couple of seforim, but curriculum? nada. what then is curriculum, you ask? Ah, you’re from crown heights, aye?
EVERYONE MUST READ COMMENT 56! Because the comment numbers sometimes change, I will quote the comment here again: “17 year old bocher Drinking and smoking are the only outlets for a bocher Sometimes the hanhalla forgets were teenagers and were wild and just want to make regular teenage trouble but no we cannot we have to be chassidishe bocherim at the ages 15 16 17 were forced by our parents teachers and community to learn until 9 at night which I feel is wrong. Anyone willing to give me some advise?” Back to me now… I think this article is… Read more »
WE WERE TAUGHT IN 8TH GRADE,BELEIVE ME THE TEACHER GOT IT THROUGH US VERY WELL AND THAT WAS 44 YEARS AGO,IN PUBLIC SCHOOL,WE REALLY NEED TO BRING IN PEOPLE WHO CAN REALLY GET THROUGH THE CHILDREN,START AT 8TH GRADE,INCLUDE WHAT #9 SAID
s this what the Rebbe would want?
would he want drugs and alcohol and tabacco addictions being discussed in our schools in front of our kinderlach. and those who think you should bring in people who have had these addictions in front of our children r”l!!
the children will become curious and want to find out about these tumps and c”v get involved in these inyonim.
B”h this is not an issue in our community, lets not make it one!
that none of the commenters have actually been toa yeshiva and senn how tight fisted hanholo are with lchaim…
The root of addiction is what MUST be addressed, addiction is like taking a long term pain killer…
Drinking and smoking are the only outlets for a bocher Sometimes the hanhalla forgets were teenagers and were wild and just want to make regular teenage trouble but no we cannot we have to be chassidishe bocherim at the ages 15 16 17 were forced by our parents teachers and community to learn until 9 at night which I feel is wrong.
Anyone willing to give me some advise?
I agree with #42. To #54 the article is not talking about that it’s talking about frum schools to include alcohol, tobacco and drug addiction in their curriculum.
As a woman who has family members addicted to acting untzniusdik, I can verify that it is called “love addiction” – the need to seek attention and affection from the opposite gender. The addict goes to many lengths to get the attention and affection, and then the cycle leads to depression, shame and self loathing. In my family, it included self harm and at least one attempt suicide. When you write that the focus should be on “life threatening issues”, my dear friend, this IS a life threatening issue. I didn’t take #9 as talking about simple untznius dressing, but… Read more »
I agree with #9. We are able to SEE more people smoking and drinking but that doesn’t mean gambling is less of a problem. Gambling isn’t just the young married who go to Atlantic City and Vegas. It is also the “day traders”, the Lotto buyers, the OTB visitors and those using the computer for betting.
Besides, MANY smokers and drinkers are also gamblers – addictive personalities jump into multiple addictions!
With all things considered, I sadly agree with #9 because these addictions run in my family.
As far as addiction is concerned the research shows that it cannot be dealt with or nipped in the bud with information. These people need much more serious, intensive, and focused help than general education The education that might be helpful is about the harmful effects of all of these substances. However it might be the case that’s what’s really missing is people having a healthy, loving, and wholesome relationship with themselves and just treating the symptoms is just that. Students need to experience healthiness in the people and adults in their lives. Another point is that healthy food can… Read more »
My husband works with Jews in recovery, we personally know bocherim who have become alcoholics after their repeated exposure in yeshivia, from hanhalos. Yeshivos MUST take responsiblity and adhere carefully to the Rebbe’s guidelines on mashke, not offering it to minors, and not setting the example of promoting lchaims and sometimes literally drinking under the table with and in front of bocherim. It’s illegal, it’s dangerous, the younger one starts drinking, the higher the chance they will become addicted, and the greater permanent damage. Parents have to educate themselves and demand a change.
Thank you Eli for this important article.
The CHJCC has been offering curriculum in middle school and high school for several years.
Some schools are more interested than others in introducing the curriculum for the reasons cited here by some of the respondents.
While curriculum doesn’t stop addiction, it has proven to delay it’s onset. delaying the onset of addiction during teen years can save a life.
Levi Kaplan
Sorry Mr. Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, MBE, there is zero reason to believe that teaching abuse abstinence in yeshivos will help in any way. The goyim have been doing this for decades to absolutely no avail. La Chaim and fabregen is going nowhere, B”H, so you all just need to get over that, and learn how to negotiate the chassidishe world –with apologies to Mother Against Farbregens! — there is already very strong encouragement against getting plastered in the yeshivos, even for Purim, and there is not a single abuser who is not aware that he is doing something wrong, even… Read more »
Maybe COL would agree to a series of articles on this subject? I think we would all benefit.
Thank you for highlighting this once again in the public arena. Some of you may know that I have been involved in chemical substance abuse programmes in the UK for some 23 years. There are never any guarantees, however that never stopped us teaching what we believe in and neither should it. Whereas years ago my involvement was with those who were in the peripherie of the J Community and n. Jews. Today sadly I am working with serious cases of frum Yidden who have fallen foul to all sorts of addiction including drugs alcohol and gambling, younger and older.… Read more »
Some of the rebbe’s takonos are just to inconvenient… So we make excuses. How did this happen that we have the chutzpah to decide what the rebbe wants when he sayReess otherwise. Oh he said… But he MEANT… Guys, it’s time to shape up. 1. Alcohol is a very superficial way of opening up your soul. If you ask yourself honestly what you gain spiritually from getting drunk y you will realize that theres nothing to be gained at all. Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t, that the more you use alcohol to open up spiritually, the harder it is… Read more »
why dont they post all the names of the drug sellers in crown heights just like they post the other types of offenders? it is a known secret who the people are (at least the “big” ones)
Cannabis has been proven to be less addictive and less damaging to one’s health than either alcohol or tobacco.
It is apparently a custom to get drunk on shobbos and at a fabrengen, but that doesn’t mean the minhag is correct.
If you look back to the Torah, when Hashem is explaining to Moshe how to make the annointing oil, he says use “k’nei basim” (cannabis), fragrant spices.
If Hashem says it’s good enough, I’ll agree.
1) 8th grade is too young and sometimes they drop out at that time 2) they are Told that marijuana is health and safe I know this because im a bachur who spoke to someone alot about this and for the boys who dont know anything about this stuff b”h will think its a joke
It’s only a joke because you put so much focus on it and nothing else. There goes your basis for judgment because it’s an easier issue to tackle than the rest in the community.
My next comment will be on the topic.
That’s your opinion. And stay on the topic at hand.
for putting your name to the article!!
(not like the losers who are chicken)
This is a very, very good.
Because this is something what the non-Jewish schools have been doing for about 3 decades, and it just works — what is like ipads.
And who doesn’t like ipads what just work.
Just say No! To Drugs.
as well as #28 – that’s the bottom line. so long as our yeshivas allow mashke at farbreingens and even encourage it, it would be counter productive to have drug/alchohol education in the schools. it would actually be hypocritical! STOP GIVING 14 – 20 yr olds LIQUOR – its AGAINST THE LAW AND THE TORAH!!! v’nishmartem m’od al nafshoseichem!!! The problem is rampant in our community – drugs are sold by a local rich man’s kid and despite many people knowing about it, there is no leadership that does anything to stop this crime. This is a must for every… Read more »
I went through the OT system and we had classes given about tobacco addiction.
If someone smokes or drinks excessively, it is a sign that they do not care enough about the body that Hashem has blessed them with. Children should be getting health education. The Ramabam advocates exercise-how many bochurim are encouraged to exercise?
Also, many teens smoke or drink in a social setting. Social skills can also be taught and outlets or groups for healthy social settings can be encouraged.
CHECK OUT L’CHAIMS IN EXCESS AS A GREAT PLACE TO PROMOTE ADDICTIONS
#17 is right because of what # 5 said,
And # 15 should simply say which mesifta encouraged and supported such outrageous behavior!
That drinking mashka at a farbrangen is akin to holiness. Until that custom is altered, we will have lots of alcohol at the table, in yeshiva and out.
Lack of tznius shows that judaism is a joke and if judaism is a joke then why not do drugs and drink alcohol
1) please don’t mix smoking and alcohol. Yes they are both addictive but alcohol ruins lives, marriages, child relationships with parents etc,,, tobacco doesn’t. 2) if you read any book on addiction you will see that any person who begins drinking under 21 is at a much higher risk to become addicted to it, (then if he started later in life). And the risk factor is higher every year that the person starts earlier. I was in the yeshiva system and alcohol is given out to 16 year olds. 3) there is also a big problem with binge drinking during… Read more »
Well done! The article was writen with such care.
Things you all need to do.
1.shut up with your negativity
2.read the article for the 2nd time
3.do something before its to late!
4.stop making excuses
Good shabbos and may we dance with moshiach now!
Eli, you are so right!
Well said!
I hope some of the principles will take it to heart and do something about it.
If they will show young teens (through proper videos etc…) what could happened to the G”F if they take drugs…And will encourage children to report to authorities those who offer them drugs some kids in Crown Hights will be in much better position today. Just like you wish youngsters should report sexual abusers, you should wish kids will report the drug dealers. The both destroy the future of our children.
Before the schools can start teaching that alcohol is bad, they need to stop teaching that alcohol is good…
You MUST get R.Shais Taub as a lead consultant/authority on the curriculum
That is precisely the problem that Eli Fed is articulating. “Therapists in local schools.” That is all after the fact – therapists and intervention. We need education early on in the mainstream curriculum not just after the fact responses.
TIME TO STOP THE DRINKING AT FARBGRENS. ZERO . NOT LIMITED. ZERO!!!
What about introducing our young innocent boys to alcohol…
what if they have a disposition to alcohol….addictions….this will get it started at a ripe young age…..of 15.
THEN IT GOES ON TO DRUGS….ETC….
right because woman dressing (a little) untzniusdik is more dangerous than alcohol poisoning, and drug abuse resulting in death.
I’m sorry but instead of ignoring life threatening issues and focusing on others, be supportive of this article!
True points, great read & short. Yes there might be programs and classes in the community that the author might not have been aware of, doesn’t mean that he isn’t bringing up important points. However I attended local Yeshiva’s my whole life and spent my shlichus year at a local mesivta. I only remember once having a doctor come talk to us about the evil’s of smoking and I don’t even think his point came across good. As a side point we need to be careful when educating about these different addictions, that those most at risk won’t be forced… Read more »
I disagree with your premise that not everyone needs educating about addiction. No-one knows if he or she is vulnerable and better to teach about the dangers and pitfalls before a young person experiments.
You are BH finally addressing a very sensitive problem in today’s Frum Jewish World both Chabad and not. I get every single year 200-300 Jewish teens (both boys and girls) from all over the world. Some of these kids are gems that the Frum world was totally clueless about how to interact with them and consequently wrote them off. Please familiarize yourself with http://www.jewishutah.com/heart and feel free to disseminate the info. to parents you may know that are dealing with drug/alcohol abuse in their families.
Benny Zippel
the yeshivas,at least the one my son went to,pushed the kids to drink by frabregens. my son had bochrim throw up on him more then once and is now totally turned off from the idea of going to a frabregen. to those of you who think that THIS is chasidishkait,that’s just sick.
Gambling addiction is far more prevalent than smoking and alcohol? Can you cite some actual statistics?
bs”d
if any (regular) yeshivah would start such a program bochurim would avoid the yeshivah b/c it’s basically saying ‘we have a addiction problem in our yeshivah”, thats besides the fact that it would make hanholo look bad in the eyes of the bochrim – thats just my opinion as a bochur!
k’sivah vachsima tovah leshanah tova umesuka
I took an addictions course in college and there was actually a time that they believed that being a religious Jew is the solution for addiction. Today they know it’s not the solution, but the reality is that although there is enough people with addictions within our community, the reality is the Yiddishkiet is a protective factor. I’m pointing this out just in the context of bringing out that although the community and schools can do things to address this problem and make a difference, nevertheless I think there should be a basic appreciation and respect for the community and… Read more »
Our institutions are not discouraging excessive alcohol consumption. My son was at a mesivta summer learning program. A 15 year old bochur earned the nickname beer ninja. The hanhola found it funny and even had it printed on a shirt.
There is a lot of peer pressure especially when it comes to drinking at a simcha and sorry to say my dear darling daughter has come home tipsy or mamesh drunk a couple of times. Any advice. Please feel free.
But the “drug awareness” programs in schools are grossly ineffective. It is a big big joke. School programs are just a way for parents to absolve themselves of responsibility and then ignore the problems and act like they are not happening.
Source: I grew up in the modern system that has all these ed and drug ed and this ed and that ed and the majority of kids took these courses and then did drugs and had relations anyways. There is no substitute for good parenting.
People, before you start bashing the author for a) only picking up his pen and not actually teaching children to say not to drugs, and b) not realizing such resources are availble in CH, here’s some food for thought: Not everyone can do everything. The fact that this man cares enough to so eloquently state the problem, and even offer a solution is a huge step in the right direction. Here’s the cue for the school administrators to step up and actually implement this kind of curriculum. This problem exists, and it is rampant. Whatever resources are currently available are… Read more »
TOTALLY agree – it’s not pretty. Addiction is a family disease and there are a lot of people suffering behind the scenes.
This article is so important. In addition to this what frightens me are the high risk relationships and risk of STD’s. Parents teach their kids not to play with fire, to watch out for cars when crossing the street, but not about the risks of certain behaviors, sometimes until its too late. Schools have an obligation to teach this as a safety net for the parents who do not know how to have this conversation with their children.
There are other addictions that are far more prevalent in our community, examples:
gambling addiction,
internet addiction,
exhibitionist addiction (women untzniusdik),
etc.
And actually get involved!
feel the same way thanx 4 posting!
Great observation Eli.
Our schools pride themselves on what they don’t teach, not on what they teach, and not on how they help their constituency’s future. As such, they have limited incentive to implement this.
Kol hakavod for continually thinking of ways to improve our community, and for your uncanny ability to not learn cynicism in this endeavor.
I hope that school directors take to heart and get it going now. This is important and the fact that it is not being done is a complete lack of understanding of the world that our kids live in. Its time to get this on the agenda.
The schools also need to bring in people that are in recovery who have been through it so the students can identify them. I speak at schools here ion L.A. about my past experiences and it’s a wonderful thing when the connection gets made.
You are so right but the schools are still living in the dark ages.
The NCFJE runs an addiction program that has therapists in local schools and addresses the issues as needed.
So before you waist your time and pen such an article know what you are talking about.
A lot of the problem begins when the kids are not in schools, and then the problem needs to be addressed.
I give you credit for putting your name on the article!