Phoenix, AZ-- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) most recent National Household Survey on Drug Abuse shows alarming increases in the number of girls ages 12 to 17, who drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and use marijuana, stimulants and inhalants. These trends signal an urgent need to educate young girls about the dangers associated with drug use and its devastating consequences. GirlSpirit! has joined forces with SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to work with young girls, and their parents and caregivers, to reverse these trends and help our community’s adolescent girls stay healthy and drug-free. GirlSpirit! is an intergenerational model of contemporary life transition and prevention programs serving girls in middle childhood through adolescence; ages 9-18. GirlSpirit! has joined the National Girl Power! Campaign to prevent or reduce drug use among girls and help them to grow into successful, confident women.

In addition, GirlSpirit! helps young girls develop authentic inner resources and character strengths that will remain with them throughout their lives. Participants in the program are immersed in a positive setting that affirms and celebrates the joys and struggles of being a girl. Through a process of intentional listening to girls, GirlSpirit! assists girls in gaining a positive sense of self as they enter the turbulent waters of adolescence, and counters the lack of validation and negative effects of today’s culture. The statistics confirm that girls need special attention. Consider these facts, for 12- to 17-year old girls:

Nearly twenty percent smoke cigarettes.

Nearly twenty percent drink alcohol.

Almost one in ten used an illicit drug in the past month.

"Adolescence is a difficult time, and girls have their own unique problems," said Judy Gifford, Director of GirlSpirit. By avoiding the use of drugs, girls in Arizona enhance their ability to develop competence, confidence and pride in themselves and their abilities. That’s what Girl Power! is all about." GirlSpirit is currently providing its second ten-week after school enrichment program at Cactus View Elementary School.