A Parent's guide
To raising
drug-free Kids
DID YOU KNOW. . .
 | That a child who reaches age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain never to do so? |
| That there are at least 16 things parents can do to help make that happen? |
There ARE things you can do to help make a difference!
| Encourage independent thinking. |
| Be clear about family values. |
| Set the right example. |
| Build confidence. |
| Encourage healthful activities. |
| Be honest. |
| Begin early. |
| Stand firm. |
| Make your comments appropriate to the age. |
| Look for teachable moments. |
| Resist the urge to threaten or badger. |
| Present a united front. |
| Role play. |
| Keep talking. |
| Listen. Listen. Listen. |
| Tell the truth. |
DID YOU KNOW. . .
That your kids could be in danger? |
It's human nature for parents to avoid facing up to the prevalence of drugs in their children's lives. But, be aware, there is a drug hazard in our school and communities. Look at the facts that affect your child's life.
| Among eighth graders, marijuana use tripled from 1991 to 1996. |
| The number of eighth graders using tobacco rose nearly 50% from 1991 to 1996. |
| More than 1/4 of eighth graders have already been drunk. |
| Heroin use, although still low among teens, was at least two times greater than a few years ago. |
| Nearly half of high school seniors don't see "great risk" in trying heroin once or twice. |
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS USING DRUGS
There is no easy answer if you suspect your child is using drugs. Don't ignore the signs. Parents often don't want to face the truth about their child's use. Many parents who have lost a child to addiction or suffered years of anguish because of it, regret not having intervened earlier before using became a full-blown addiction or the child died.
To deceive parents, kids use a myriad of tactics: |
| Lying about their friends and whereabouts |
| Disguising the effects of drugs |
| Hiding drugs where parents and school officials won't find them. |
Warning Signs |
|
A sudden drop in academic performance |
|
Withdrawal, isolation, depression or fatigue |
|
Aggressive or rebellious behavior |
|
Truancy |
|
Hostility and lack of cooperativeness |
|
Deteriorating relationships with family |
|
Change in friends |
|
Loss of interest in hobbies and sports |
|
Changes in sleeping and eating habits |
|
Evidence of drugs and paraphernalia |
|
Physical changes such as: red eyes, runny nose, frequent sore
throats, |
Action Options |
Most important, confront the situation directly. Talk to your child. If you need help with this, contact your doctor, a school social worker or minister, your local hospital, county mental health society or family counselor. Professional intervention can help determine an appropriate course of action.
Keep in mind that the moment of disclosure is not just a moment to punish. It should be an open conversation of understanding and bonding by working together to solve the problem.
Drug testing is one option. A child's physician can test for drugs if the child agrees. Doctors tell us that if a child refuses, it is usually an admission that he or she is using drugs.
Home drug testing is another option. Some experts say that home testing destroys trust. Parents whose children lied to them about drug use say testing allowed them to confront the reality and take action, such as counseling or treatment. Some parents continue to test to make sure the child stays clean.
| REMEMBER |
There is no vaccine that will inoculate our children against substance abuse. It occurs in all types of families, regardless of education, income, family structure or community. As a parent, there ARE things you can do to help raise children who stay free of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
There is one very important factor that can make a difference. Parent's involvement in the lives of their children -- eating dinner together, helping with homework, coaching games, etc. -- ensure that the children are at far less risk. Involved parents create children who are optimistic about the future, concerned about doing well in school, and have a mind-set that it's morally wrong to use drugs. These children are far less likely to become involved with drugs.
Although you may feel overwhelmed with the outside forces that influence your children, it's important to remember that you, as a parent, are in the best position to talk to your children about substance abuse. You do more to shape their views than any other influence in their lives. Your guidance and education are critical.
Note: Information for this page was taken from a brochure prepared by The PFS Family Studies Center of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA). For more information on CASA, visit their website at http://www.casacolumbia.org
Note: All of the following brochures contain additional information on resources:
| The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation's Talking with Kids About Tough Issues (1-800-CHILD-44) |
| The American Council for Drug Education's Talking to Your Child About Marijuana (888-Marijuana) |
| The National Institute on Drug Abuse's Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents (1-800-729-6686) |
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