Drugs, legal and illegal, are all around us and our children. Some are legal and some aren’t. Some help people but others can do considerable harm. So what do parents need to say to their child about drugs?
The talks and the lessons need to begin early. The first talks probably are about prescription medication that you or your child may take. You need to be sure that you keep medications where your child cannot reach them. A young child may just think that since it is medication for him he should take more of it; this can be dangerous. Even a child who watches you, the adult, use medicines may think it is fine for him to be a big kid and take the same things; this is very dangerous.
As the child grows older, your discussions need to include drugs such as alcohol and marijuana which are both legal but not for minors. The discussions also need to include talking about illegal drugs. According to the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse and Columbia University, half the nation’s children are at risk for substance abuse and physical and mental illnesses because of using tobacco and drugs.
Over 13 percent of children under 18 live in a home where a parent uses a current legal but previously illegal drug and some of these parents are using drugs that are still illegal. Another 24 percent of children live in a home where a parent or other adult is a binge drinker. On top of these large numbers add 37 percent of children live in a home where a parent or other adult uses tobacco which compromises the health of everyone in the home.
Take action
But what can you do as a parent to make a difference? First, we know most kids don’t get into using drugs. But no one wants to have their child be the one who does. So here are some ways that you can help prevent your child from using substances that can harm his health.
1. Set limits and know where your child is. Have him call you if his plans change. Check from time to time to make sure he is where he said he would be.
2. Keep in contact with other parents. If other parents are involved in putting down limits and supervising activities, your child will be less likely to get into trouble.
3. Keep a good relationship with him by talking regularly and listening a lot.
4. When he does something that isn’t OK, warn him about the consequences and then follow through on the next incident.
5. Get him involved in activities. School sports, music and drama activities are great ways for kids to spend their time. If he is involved in clubs or church activities that keep him busy, he has less time to get into trouble. You still check on these, too.
6. Learn about drugs and tobacco and share your knowledge with your child.
7. Do what you preach he should do. Don’t use drugs that are illegal. Don’t use alcohol excessively. Give up smoking.
Discussions about drugs and alcohol need to begin early and change over time. Children who begin using drugs before age 15 are seven times more likely to use drugs regularly. Another consistent finding is that the more a family has dinner together, the less likely the child will use drugs. Many times the only time a family sits down and talks is over dinner.
It seems that talking about drugs should come a lot later in your child’s life. We all wish that were true. It isn’t. Talk about drugs with your elementary-age child so that she learns what your views are. You are very important to her. Your view makes a difference.
Most importantly, at all ages talk, talk, talk with your child. Read articles about drugs, become informed and have family discussions about what you have read. One writer about drug overuse writes, “The most effective place to curb substance abuse … is in living rooms and dining rooms.” He is right!
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.
