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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS TO HELP THEIR TEENS STAY DRUG-FREE
Most parents find it helpful to know that the majority of teens are making good choices and that "everybody" doesn’t drink, smoke or use other drugs. We are frequently asked how parents can increase the likelihood that their children will successfully navigate the teen years without endangering themselves by using harmful substances. While there is no vaccine to prevent substance abuse and addiction, there are many things a parent can do throughout their children’s lives to help them to continue to make good choices.

Preschool age is a good time to start helping your child develop good decision-making skills. At this age children should be learning, with their parents’ help, how to make good decisions about what should and should not go into their bodies. One way children can start to learn about good nutrition is by allowing them to choose healthy fruits and vegetables to add to their lunch or a family dinner. At this stage parents can also help their children learn how to effectively solve problems. Parents can spend time watching and playing with preschool-aged children, helping them settle disagreements with friends about which toy to play with or helping their child find a favorite toy that may be lost.

When children are in kindergarten through third grade (5-8 years old), they should know the difference between medicine and illegal drugs. Parents can also teach their children that even medicine prescribed by a doctor can be harmful if not used as directed. At this age it’s helpful for children to begin learning how to cope with problems using healthy means. Helping children find activities when they’re bored, teaching ways to relax when they’re tense and teaching ways to openly grieve over the lost of a loved one can all be helpful skills that can prevent children from using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to cope later on in life.

Research shows that 74% of fourth graders wish their parents would talk to them about drugs (The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign). At ages 9-11 (grades four through six), parents can start to provide information about the risks and effects (both short-term and long-term) of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Also at this stage, kids should be encouraged to join after-school or group activities that interest them if they aren’t already involved. It is beneficial for children at this age to belong to a few different peer groups or activities that allow them to explore a variety of interests. This can help guard against peer pressure by allowing a child to know that they have options and won’t lose all of their friends if they don’t "join in." Parents can also help their child think about and practice refusal skills, or ways to say "no," if faced with a situation in which drugs are offered. Examples include "I don’t want to smoke cigarettes because it will make it hard for me to breathe and play sports" or "My parents would be mad at me if I drink a beer."

While 7th and 8th graders may be seeking autonomy and testing their relationship with their parents, they are still listening to what their parents have to say. Seventh and eighth graders should know the physical, emotional and legal consequences of poor decisions and illegal drug use (including alcohol and tobacco at this age). Parents can also help their children develop a positive sense of personal identity and self-esteem at this age by identifying and praising their good decisions whenever possible.

The High School Years may be scary for many parents – now that their teens are spending more time away from the family. Parents can use time like driving in the car or family dinners to have more complex discussions with their teenagers about ways an individual’s alcohol, tobacco or other drug use can affect their future and their family, friends, school and community. In this age of advanced technology, it is also important for parents to make sure teenagers are getting accurate information about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

No matter what age the child, parents should make their position clear when it comes to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Parents are one of the main determining factors as to whether or not a child decides to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Kids care about how their decisions will impact his or her parents – so parents must make sure their children know exactly where they stand.

Raising drug-free children may seem like a daunting task in today’s world, but parents have more resources than ever before to aid them. Local, state and national research all show that a majority of teens choose not to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, which can help parents counter the "everybody’s doing it" theory. There are also many reputable websites that provide information and resources for parents, such as www.theantidrug.com. Finally, many parents find it helpful to get together with other parents to share ways to rear healthy teens. The best way for parents to get through the teenage years is to utilize the support around them!