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Talk To Your Child About Drugs and Alcohol
Kids say their parents are the most important influence when it
comes to drugs and alcohol. So this message needs to start with you.
Kids need to hear how risky drug and alcohol use can be. Don’t wait
until your child has a problem. The earlier you talk to your kids
about drugs and alcohol, the less likely they will be to use it.
Find a time like driving your child to school or soccer practice and
use it as an opportunity to talk. Tell your kids how drugs and
alcohol interfere with concentrating on schoolwork or their ability
to play sports. Explain the legal trouble they can get into and let
them know they could lose a job or a scholarship. Tell them how to
stay away from risky situations and what words to use if someone
offers them drugs or alcohol.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...
WHAT YOU CAN DO....
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Alcohol and drug use adversely affects children/teens by
affecting brain development, memory and learning.
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Binge drinkers consume an average of 5.6 drinks at a time and
can start in middle school.
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Peer acceptance and no perceived harm are important risk factors
in alcohol and drug use.
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Clear parental boundaries, monitoring, and communication are
significant factors in preventing underage drinking and drug
use.
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Alcohol advertising works!
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Unclear boundaries and inconsistent messages from the community
increases risk of use.
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Developmental assets help young people make wise decisions,
choose positive paths, and grow up competent, caring and
responsible. The more assets the more developmentally healthy
they will be.
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All organizations, institutions and individuals in a community
play a role in building assets for youth.
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Be involved in your kid’s lives!
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ASH WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE
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Know your child’s friends, what your child is doing, when your
child will be home, and where your child is going.
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Eat dinner, listen to music, watch a ball game, do chores
together.
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Set a firm rule of no drug or underage alcohol use by your
children.
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You are your kid’s role model. They notice everything you do.
Commit yourself to a drug-free lifestyle.
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The hours after school, between 3 and 6 p.m. , are when lots of
kids get in trouble. During summer months, kids have even more
free time on their hands. Try to be with your kids, but if
that’s not possible, make sure your child is occupied with an
adult around: sports, jobs, clubs, after-school programs or
religious youth groups.
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MENTAL
HEALTH
CRISIS LINE |
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740-687-8255 (TALK) |
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