Tips On Talking To Your Child

Acknowledge that marijuana, alcohol and tobacco are substances that are out there and that many people use them. This is key to developing your credibility. In the case of nicotine and prescription drugs, explain that they are also abuse-able and should be treated the same as alcohol and illegal drugs.

Communication is key. Start early and take time to explain things to your child in basic terms that are easily understandable. The ultimate goal is to make your child comfortable talking to you about “difficult” topics such as drugs, alcohol and smoking.

Listen carefully to your child. Educate yourself so you can answer his or her questions. As children get older, their questions get more difficult, so you need to be prepared. Listening carefully shows not only that you care, but also that you understand what they are saying.

Recognize that your child will most certainly know someone who uses drugs, smokes or drinks. They may also have the opportunity to use these substances themselves.

Peer pressure may play a pivotal role in a child’s decision to use drugs, drink or smoke. However, encourage your child to be their own person and make their own decisions.

Tell your child the truth—that drugs, alcohol and tobacco may make them feel good for a while (by activating brain chemicals). Unfortunately, that feeling is brief and no one can know the true potency or lifetime effects of these substances.

Try to impress on your child the long-term consequences drinking, smoking or using drugs may have on something they enjoy doing, such as sports, math or writing. If they are not interested in school or sports, try to find something he/she can relate to where learning or skilled movements are involved.

Point out that adolescents are in a period of life during which they need their brains to operate at full efficiency. These substances can impair brain function.

Make the point that repeated “chemical activation” will eventually cause people to crave that chemical and want to keep using it even if it hurts them.

Explain that these substances may dull a painful part of their lives for a brief period, but it will never change or help the underlying situation.

Write a family “contract” established to make your opinions on drug use, drinking and smoking clear. Be consistent with family rules.

Spend time with your children. Read to them. Eat dinner with them —you are simply going to know each other better. Kids from hands-on families are at lower risk for smoking, drinking or using illegal drugs.

Talk with your children whenever possible and be open and truthful when answering their questions about drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

Be a model of healthy behavior for your child.

Ten Benefits of Frequent Family Dinners

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), the more often children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. 

Compared to kids who have fewer than three family dinners per week, children and teens that have frequent dinners are:

1. At 70% lower risk for substance abuse overall
2. Half as likely to try cigarettes
3. Half as likely to be daily cigarette smokers
4. Half as likely to try marijuana
5. One Third less likely to try alcohol
6. Half as likely to get drunk monthly
7. More likely to get better grades in school
8. Less likely to have friends who drink alcohol and use marijuana
9. More likely to have parents who take responsibility for teen drug use
10. Almost 40% more likely to say future drug use will never happen

Percent Teens Who Have Tried Cigarettes, Alcohol, Marijuana (by frequency of family dinners)
Substance	5-7 dinners per week	0-2 dinners per week
Cigarettes	13%	29%
Alcohol	32%	48%
Marijuana	12%	25%

Helpful Brochures (.pdf format)

Keeping Your Teens Drug Free
A Guide for African American Parents and Caregivers - Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Keeping Your Teens Drug Free
A Guide for Hispanic Parents and Caregivers - Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Keeping Your Teens Drug Free
A General Market Family Guide - Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Keeping Your Kids Drug Free
A How-To Guide For Parents and Caregivers - Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Suspect Your Teen Is Using Drugs Or Drinking
A Brief Guide To Action For Parents and Caregivers.

Can I Borrow The Car
Tips For Reducing Teen Accidents - Geico

Navigating The Teen Years
A Parents Handbook For Raising Healthy Teens - National Youth Anti-Drug Media

When It's Not Your Kid
Handing Drinking And Drug Abuse With The Children Of Others