Parents have more influence over their child than friends, music, TV, the Internet and celebrities.Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not.
Help your teen stay safe and make healthy choices by:
- Talking and listening regularly
- Being directly involved in your child’s everyday world
- Making it clear that you do not want him or her drinking or using drugs
- Setting limits
“I’m not trying to ruin your fun. I love you and I want you to stay healthy. The best way to do that is to stay completely away from drugs and alcohol. I need you to promise that you will.”
“I realize there’s a lot of temptation out there. I also know you’re a really smart, strong person. That’s why I expect you to stay clean — no matter what your friends are doing. Agreed?”
“There’s a lot of new science about teens, drugs and alcohol. It scares me to know how easily you could damage your brainwww.drugfree.org/teenbrain or get addicted. I want your word that you’ll steer clear of all that, and keep me in the loop on the kids you hang out with, too.”
Research shows that when parents talk openly about drugs and drinking, children have better self-control and develop more negative perceptions of these risky behaviors. Thanks to http://www.drugfree.org/.
What to Say to Your Child at Any Age
Your guidance helps to prevent a drug or alcohol problem with your child, explains Amelia Arria, PhD, Senior Scientist at Treatment Research Institute and mother in the following video.
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2012 North Fork Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Now Available Online!
The 2012 Prevention Needs Assessment survey was designed to assess students’ involvement in a specific set of problem behaviors, as well as their exposure to a set of scientifically validated risk and protective factors. The risk and protective factors have been shown to influence the likelihood of academic success, school dropout, substance abuse, violence, and delinquency among youth. This survey was given specifically to North Fork area students. You can review the results by downloading the survey here.
