How to Keep Your Teen’s Safe in the Summer

Summer time for a teen can be a great time to unwind from a stressful school year, get a part-time job for extra spending money, or prepare for future challenges such as; college prep tests, college applications, AP classes or driving tests. For some teens it can also mean a plenitude of idle time without structure. SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) recently released a report which cited that:

on an average day in June and July, more than 11,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 use alcohol for the first time – December is the only other month with comparable levels. Throughout the rest of the year the daily average for first-time alcohol use ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 adolescents.

Similarly in June and July, an average of 5,000 youths smoke cigarettes for the first time, as opposed to the daily average of about 3,000 to 4,000 adolescents during the rest of the year.  The same pattern holds true to a large degree for first time use of cigars and smokeless tobacco among youth.

In terms of first-time use of marijuana, more than 4,500 youth start using it on an average day in June and July, as opposed to about 3,000 to 4,000 youths during the other months.

Here are some ways that parents can help their teens successfully avoid these pitfalls during the summer.

• Provide structure to their day.
• Give them daily responsibilities.
• Communicate with them throughout the day and don’t let the rules slide even though it is summer.
• Talk to them about the consequences of substance abuse.
• Provide them helpful resources if they struggle with substance issues (ex. AA or NA program for teens)

Adolescent Counseling Services provides therapy and substance abuse treatment support throughout the summer to adolescents and teens in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. If you feel like your teen needs help this summer please contact us at info@acs-teens.org or 650-424-0852 ext 104.

To learn more about our summer programs click on these links.

After-School Counseling Program

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program