This series will concentrate on family. I had imagined with concern, the agonies parents go through as they struggle to rescue their wards from the devastating effects of drug abuse. The obvious result of every effort is that it is better to prevent a bad habit. I realized that it’s vital that both parents do everything in their power to guide, stimulate, and inspire their children to embrace a life-style that detests the use of illegal drugs. Follow me as I take you along.
The power to “JUST SAY NO” begins with you!
When a teen is using drugs, a parent may not know before a serious problem develops. Parents who feel as though their teen could have started taking drugs should not ignore these feelings because getting an early start on addressing the situation could make the difference between nipping recreational use or self-medicating in the bud or even later dealing with a full-blown addiction.
Questions:
1. Are you able to communicate calmly and clearly with your teenager regarding relationship problems?
2. Do you encourage positive behaviour in your teenager on a daily basis?
3. Are you able to negotiate emotional conflicts with your teenager and work towards a solution?
4. Are you able to calmly set limits when your teenager is defiant or disrespectful? Are you able to set limits on more serious problem behaviours such as drug use, if or when it occurs?
5. Do you monitor your teenager to ensure that he or she does not spend too much unsupervised time with peers?
1. Communication
2. Encouragement
3. Negotiation
4. Setting Limits
5. Supervision.
Educating teenagers about drug use is the primary tool you have to prevent it. While it might seem as if your teenagers listen to their friends more than you, the truth is that parents play a significant role in decreasing teen drug abuse. According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), risk factors for teen drug use include a chaotic family life and a family history of substance abuse. By
creating a stable environment, and by modelling sobriety, you can help prevent teen drug abuse.
Talk to your kids early and often about drugs. Keep the conversation going throughout their childhood. Let them know they can turn to you for accurate information about drugs and alcohol without getting a lecture. Spend one-on-one time with each child, and family time as a group with all your children. Have at least one meal together each day or weekend. Make it possible. Make time to give each kid your undivided attention and let him know he has your unconditional love. Monitor what each of your kids is doing and with whom she’s doing it. On different platforms, this advise has been repeatedly said: get to know your child’s friends by inviting them over to your house. Find out where she is going and whom she’ll be with when she goes out.
Keep prescription medications in a secure location. If anyone in your household takes painkillers, sedatives or stimulants, count the pills regularly and discard any unused medication. Limit the amount of alcohol you have in your home and the ease with which your children can access it.
Tell your teen what you expect of him or her. If you know he’s going to a party, set a curfew and wait up if necessary. Make it impossible for him to sneak in late, drunk or high, without seeing you. If he knows the rules and consequences and you apply them consistently, he is less likely to try sneaking drug and alcohol use past you.
Life does not rewind, say no to drugs.