Teens and Drug Use: 10 Tips for Prevention and Awareness
It is important for parents not to be in denial. The best of kids can make bad decisions. Think of your own childhood - we all learn from mistakes. Sadly today drugs are much more dangerous and deadly than they were generations earlier.
10 Tips for Prevention and Awareness of Drug Use:
1. Communication is the key to prevention. Whenever an opportunity to talk about the risks of
drinking and driving or the dangers of using drugs presents itself, take it and
start a conversation.
2. Have
a conversation not a confrontation.
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, talk to her. Don't judge her; instead,
talk to her about facts behind the dangers of substance abuse. If your teen
isn't opening up to you, be sure you find an adolescent therapist who can
help.
3. Addict in the family. Do you have an addict in your family? Sadly many families
have been affected by someone who has allowed drugs to take over his or her
life. With this, it is a reminder to your teen that you want him to have a
bright future filled with happiness. The last thing you want for them is to end
up like [name of addicted relative].
4. Don't be a parent in denial. There is no teenager who is immune to drug abuse. No
matter how smart your teen is, or athletic she is, she’s at risk if she starts
using. I firmly believe that keeping your teen constructively busy, whether
through sports, music or other hobbies, will put her at less risk to want to
experiment. However don't be in the dark thinking that because your teen is
pulling a 4.0 GPA and is on the varsity football team that he couldn't be
dragged down by peer pressure. Go back to my number one tip—talk, talk, talk.
Remind your teen how proud you are of him, and let him know that you’re always
available if he’s being pressured to do or try something he don't want to.
5. Do you even know what your teen is saying? Listen, or watch on text messages or emails, for code
words for medicaiton being abused or specific drug activity: skittling;
tussing; skittles; robo-tripping; red devils; velvet; triple C; C-C-C-; and
robotard are just some of the names kids use for cough and cold medication
abuse. Weed; pot; ganja; mary jane; grass; chronic; buds; blunt; hootch; jive
stick; ace; spliff; skunk; smoke; dubie; flower; and zig zag are all slang for
marijuana.
6. Leftovers. Are there empty medicine bottles or wrappers in your
teen’s room or car (if they own one)? Does she have burn marks on her clothes
or her bedroom rug, and ashes or a general stench in her room or car? Be sure
to check all pockets, garbage cans, cars, closets, and under beds, etc., for
empty wrappers and other evidence of drug use. Where do you keep your
prescription drugs? Have you counted them lately? Teens and tweens often
ingest several pills at once or smash them so that all of the drug’s affect is
released at once.
7. Body language. Tune into changes in your teen’s behavior. Are his peer
groups changing? Is he altering his physical appearance or suddenly lack
hygiene? Are his eating and/or sleeping patterns changing? Does he display a
hostile, uncooperative, or defiant attitude, and is he sneaking out of the
house? Are you missing money or other valuables from your home?
8. Access to alcohol. Look around your home—are alcoholic beverages (liquor,
beer, or wine) easily accessible? Teens typically admit that getting alcohol is
easy, and that the easiest place to get it is in their own homes. Be aware of
what you have in the house and if you suspect your teen is drinking, lock it
up! Talk to them about the risks of drinking, especially if they are driving.
9. Seal the deal.
Have your teen sign a contract stating that she promises never to drink and
drive. The organization Students Against Destructive Decisions (formerly known
as Students Against Drunk Driving), www.saddonline.com provides a free online
contract you can download. It may help her pause just the second she needs, to
not get behind that wheel.
10. Set the example, be the example. What many parents don't realize is that they are the
leading role model for their teen. If your teen sees you smoking or drinking
frequently, what is the message you are sending? At the same time, many adults
enjoy a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, and the teen needs to
understand that they are adults and there’s a reason the legal drinking age is
21.
A very important piece of advice I share on a daily
basis, which I learned the hard way, is that you have to be a parent first,
even if it means your teen hates you. The hate is temporary. Your teen’s
future, health, and safety depend on your parenting. Friendship will come
later—and it does!
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, take immediate steps to get them help. If they refuse local treatment, consider residential therapy.
