These are topics that people ask about all of
the time, there are discussion forums and
community groups with each
the time, there are discussion forums and
community groups with each
Hot Topics
Talking about Drugs to your Child
Do the Research
1. Visit internet sites about drugs, do your homework.
2. Talk to local police about what problems are current in your
neighborhood.
3. Talk to the local school system about drug problems that have
occurred and what the policies are for dealing with it.
4. Find out the details of the drugs that are a problem in your
area. How they are sold, what are reactions and addictive
properties.
How to talk about it
1. This is not a one time chat, your views should be made clear
whenever it is appropriate. I.e. when the topic is on TV, when
your child is about to go to a party, when the family is talking
about social interactions. You should initiate those conversations.
2. Listen carefully to your child, try to elicit thoughts,
experiences and concerns
3. Start early. Your conversation should become more advanced
as your child matures. When the child is 5 years old, the
message might only be "drugs bad". When he is 16, a
description of the drugs effects might be in order, and the logic of
why they are bad.
4. Some important points to make:
a. Taking drugs is a decision that can affect the rest of your life,
because while addictions can be conquered and may lessen with
abstinence, they do not go away.
b. Addiction to a drug can actually behave like a physical instinct,
and the lack can be more painful than a lack of food for several
days, an inability to go to the bathroom, or not breathing, and as
hard to resist as scratching a severe itch. While you have the
need to fulfill this instinct (i.e. the drugs not available), nothing
will be more important.
c. Although drugs may have a short term pleasurable effect,
addiction is always painful. No matter how many drugs you take,
the withdrawal is always painful.
d. Each drug has its own long term effect, marijuana can cause a
lack of drive, lack of energy and a lack of will to succeed in life. A
desire for Heroin is strong enough to make one commit crimes for
more.
e. Even though tobacco and alcohol are legal, they are also
dangerous and can have severe effect. Alcoholics are treated for
a lifetime.
5. Role Play on how to say "no". Practice saying no in various
social situations, ask "what if?" make sure that your kid knows
what to do.
6. Listen to the music that they buy, watch their television
shows, make sure that the messages that they are getting are
not encouraging them to stray.
1. Visit internet sites about drugs, do your homework.
2. Talk to local police about what problems are current in your
neighborhood.
3. Talk to the local school system about drug problems that have
occurred and what the policies are for dealing with it.
4. Find out the details of the drugs that are a problem in your
area. How they are sold, what are reactions and addictive
properties.
How to talk about it
1. This is not a one time chat, your views should be made clear
whenever it is appropriate. I.e. when the topic is on TV, when
your child is about to go to a party, when the family is talking
about social interactions. You should initiate those conversations.
2. Listen carefully to your child, try to elicit thoughts,
experiences and concerns
3. Start early. Your conversation should become more advanced
as your child matures. When the child is 5 years old, the
message might only be "drugs bad". When he is 16, a
description of the drugs effects might be in order, and the logic of
why they are bad.
4. Some important points to make:
a. Taking drugs is a decision that can affect the rest of your life,
because while addictions can be conquered and may lessen with
abstinence, they do not go away.
b. Addiction to a drug can actually behave like a physical instinct,
and the lack can be more painful than a lack of food for several
days, an inability to go to the bathroom, or not breathing, and as
hard to resist as scratching a severe itch. While you have the
need to fulfill this instinct (i.e. the drugs not available), nothing
will be more important.
c. Although drugs may have a short term pleasurable effect,
addiction is always painful. No matter how many drugs you take,
the withdrawal is always painful.
d. Each drug has its own long term effect, marijuana can cause a
lack of drive, lack of energy and a lack of will to succeed in life. A
desire for Heroin is strong enough to make one commit crimes for
more.
e. Even though tobacco and alcohol are legal, they are also
dangerous and can have severe effect. Alcoholics are treated for
a lifetime.
5. Role Play on how to say "no". Practice saying no in various
social situations, ask "what if?" make sure that your kid knows
what to do.
6. Listen to the music that they buy, watch their television
shows, make sure that the messages that they are getting are
not encouraging them to stray.
Additional Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Life Time
Narconon International Drug
Prevention and Rehabilitation
Parents, the Anti-drug
Kid's Health
Talk with your Kids
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Life Time
Narconon International Drug
Prevention and Rehabilitation
Parents, the Anti-drug
Kid's Health
Talk with your Kids
Sara's Cheat Sheets
Sara's Cheat Sheets are check lists and guides
to doing a good and thorough job in those
challenging first time tasks that parents come
across. If you have suggestions or additions
please write to sara@parentingwithsara.com
to doing a good and thorough job in those
challenging first time tasks that parents come
across. If you have suggestions or additions
please write to sara@parentingwithsara.com
| Home About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Child Emergency Procedures Cheat Sheets Hot Topics Search Archives copyright 2006-2007 ParentingwithSara.com All Rights Reserved |
