As parents, guardians, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, we care about the health and well being of our children. One of the most challenging issues facing our youth today is substance misuse, in other terms the use of drugs and alcohol before the age of 21. Can we really blame them though? In a culture that promotes the use of drugs and alcohol to deal with the stresses and pains of life. Or even worse, a "pop culture" that glorifies drugs and partying over our televisions and social media platforms? Check out this article from Royal Life Centers, Drug Glorification in Pop Culture: The Addiction Behind Your Television Screen.
Youth may use substances for a number of different reasons and though we cannot keep them protected at all times, there are active steps that we can take to prolong the use of drugs and alcohol, as well as prevent substance use from happening all together.
Research shows that young people view their parents and trusted adults as credible sources of information and are affected by parental beliefs and behaviors. Even though we care about our children's safety, sometimes it's hard to start the conversation. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate those challenging discussions.
Guide to having "The Talk"
There is no set formula for talking to young people about alcohol and other drugs, but the following guidance can make it easier.
Get the facts: Use evidence based sources to inform yourself and provide your child with the most accurate information.
Look for opportunities to start the conversation:Keep the conversation relaxed. Use relevant topics on the TV and radio, or an upcoming party, as an opportunity to talk about alcohol and drugs.
Ask questions: Find out about their views on alcohol and other drugs. Talk about what they would do in different situations.
Make sure they understand the harms: Talk about the benefits as well as the harms of different drugs, and reasons why someone might use them. Don’t exaggerate the harms as it will make you sound less credible.
Set rules and consequences: Let them know your rules, and the consequences for breaking them. Help them develop ways of managing situations where their friends may be using drugs or alcohol and they don't want to be embarrassed for not taking part.
For more information or support on how to navigate these challenging conversations, reach out to us at austin17house@gmail.com
Lindsey, Executive Director
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