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Don't put off
talking to your children about alcohol and other drugs. As early as fourth grade, kids worry about pressures to try drugs.
School programs alone aren't enough. Parents must become involved, but most parents aren't sure how to tell their children
about drugs. Open communications are one of the most effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid drug use. Talking
freely and really listening shows children that they mean a great deal to you. What
Do You Say? - Tell them that you love them and you want them to be healthy and happy.
- Say you do not find alcohol and other illegal drugs acceptable.
- Many parents
never state this simple principal. Explain how this use hurts people. Physical harm - for example, AIDS, slowed growth, impaired
coordination, accidents. Emotional harm - sense of not belonging, isolation, paranoia. Educational harm - difficulties remembering
and paying attention.
- Discuss the legal issues. A conviction for a drug offense can lead
to time in prison or cost someone a job, a driver's license, or a college loan.
- Talk about
positive drug-free alternatives, and how you can explore them together. Some ideas include sports, reading, movies, bike rides,
hikes, camping, cooking, games, and concerts. Involve your kids friends.
How
Do You Say It? - Calmly and openly - Don't exaggerate. The facts speak for themselves.
- Face to face - exchange information and try to understand each other's point of view. Be an active listener and
let your child talk about fears and concerns. Don't interrupt and don't preach.
- Through
"teachable moments" - in contrast to formal lectures, use a variety of situations - television news, TV dramas,
books, newspapers.
- Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech.
- Remember that YOU SET THE EXAMPLE. Avoid contradictions between your words and your actions. AND DON'T
USE ILLEGAL DRUGS, PERIOD!
- Be creative! You and your child might act out various situations
in which one person tries to pressure another to take a drug. Figure out two or three ways to handle each situation and talk
about which works best. Exchange ideas with other parents.
How Can I Tell
If A Child Is Using Drugs? Identifying illegal drug use may help prevent further abuse. Possible
signs include: - Change in moods - more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive,
inappropriately angry, euphoric.
- Less responsible - late coming home, late for school or
class, dishonest.
- Changing friends or changing lifestyles - new interests, unexplained cash.
- Physical deterioration - difficulty in concentrating, loss of coordination, loss of weight, unhealthy appearance.
Why Do Kids Do Drugs? Young people say they turn to alcohol and other
drugs for one or more of the following reasons: - To do what their friends are doing
- To escape pain in their lives
- To fit in
- Boredom
- For fun
- Curiosity
- To take risks
Take A Stand! - Educate yourself about the facts surrounding alcohol
and other drug use. You will lose credibility with your child if your information is not correct.
- Establish
clear family rules against drug use and enforce them consistently.
- Develope your parenting
skills through seminars, networking with other parents, reading, counseeling, and support groups. Work with other parents
to set community standards - you don't raise a child alone.
- Volunteer at schools, youth
centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, or other activities in your community.
For
More Information Contact: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
(NCADI) P.O. Box 2345 Rockville, MD 20847-2345 800-729-6686 or 301-468-2600 FAX 301-468-6433
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