Tip of the Spear: Be your child's biggest influencer when it comes to drug prevention and intervention

BOOK REVIEW of The Tip of the Spear by David Vieth Kopenyby Bernard Glos, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in forensicpsychology, addiction and violence/threat assessmentIn my five decades of professional work, rarely have I come across a booklike this one. It is unbelievably well written. First, it is fact based, both interms of drugs and human behavior. It carefully integrates relevant stories ofyoung people and parents to make the factual content much more relatable.Importantly, it clearly illuminates the key role parents have in preventingor dealing with their children's substance use. The book not only identifieseverything a parent needs to know, it does so in such a clear and simpleway that both understanding and application are easy for the reader. Thereare clear strategies in how to prevent drug use but also clear interventionsto address such use if it is already occurring. Although the teen age yearscause teenagers to over-connect with peers and other outside influences,parents can still have a powerful impact. They can help their child not beoverly influenced or pressured by their peers. So often, my work with teenswas stymied by parents unwilling to get involved. A family is a system and achild or teen is part of that system. For example, merely changing a batteryin a car without checking and replacing a defective starter motor will notget things moving! A look at the "big picture" is needed, which this volumedoes unbelievably well. The author discusses how to facilitate a schoolconnection as it plays a key role in not only prevention and interventionbut adolescent growth and other developmental activities as well. At theend, the author sees his work as a strategy for hope. So often, when youngpeople get involved with drugs or other addictive behaviors, parents throwup their hands in frustration and try to get the issue "fixed" elsewhere. Ifyou read this book, you as a parent will know what to do. YOU are the fix!