A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 6): What To Do If You Think Your Child Might Be Using Drugs Warning Signs – Since mood swings and unpredictable behavior are frequent occurrences for preteens and teenagers, parents may find it difficult to spot signs of alcohol and drug abuse. But if your child starts to exhibit one […]
A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 5): How to Teach Your Child About Drugs Preschoolers – It may seem premature to talk about drugs with preschoolers, but the attitudes and habits that they form at this age have an important bearing on the decisions they will make when they’re older. At this early age, they […]
A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 4): Your Child’s Perspective Understandably, some parents of drug users think that their child might have been pressured into taking drugs by peers or drug dealers. But children say they choose to use drugs because they want to: relieve boredom feel good forget their troubles and relax have fun […]
A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 3): Talking With Your Children Effectively As soon as your child begins to talk, the questions come: “Why is the grass green?” “What’s wrong with that man sitting in the park?” If you show your child that you’re ready to give answers at any time, even if the topics […]
A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 2): Laying the Groundwork We, as parents, are the most important role models in our children’s lives. What we say and do about drugs matters a lot when it comes to the choices our children make. We can: set a positive example and get involved in our children’s lives; […]
A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 1): Introduction When most parents talk about drugs, they voice some of their greatest fears and concerns. And their apprehension is well justified: Drug addiction can destroy your relationships and family life and can harm or even kill you. Unfortunately, as the general public began to feel that the […]
Encourage choice •Allow your child plenty of opportunity to become a confident decision-maker. An 8-year-old is capable of deciding if she wants to invite lots of friends to her birthday party or just a close pal or two. A 12-year-old can choose whether she wants to go out for chorus or join the school band. […]
Excerpt from “99 Tips for Talking with Your Teenager:” Tip #79- Watch for any danger signs such as alcohol on your child’s breath, the smell of marijuana, paraphernalia, severe drop in grades, extreme friendship changes. Commentary from ACS Executive Director, Dr.Philippe Rey: Seek support and guidance for yourself in dealing with the changes in a […]
