Resources for Parents - Save Lives Kenosha

Talk with your kids about Drugs

Today is the best day to start a habit of just talking with your kids. Experts agree that simply getting into the habit of talking with your children about daily life is a great way to lay the foundation for important conversations, including drug use.

Kids are curious people. They want to know about the world around them, and at some point, they will want to learn about drugs—prescription and others. Your teenagers crave a real, conversation WITH you, to explore ideas and gain understanding. If you don’t have an answer, it’s a great opportunity to research it together. We have curated a collection of resources to help you with accurate, factual drug information, as well as some overall communication strategies.

National Institute on Drug Abuse offers parent resources, including drug facts, emerging trends, and more.
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/parents/drug-facts-for-you

Women’s and Children’s Health Network collected age-appropriate information for talking with your school-aged kids about drugs.
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=289&id=1559

KidsHealth from Nemours health system has separate drug information resources aimed at Parents and at Teens. All information on this site is doctor-reviewed.

Drugs: What Parents Need to Know
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/drugs-information.html?WT.ac=ctg#cattalk

Drugs: What to Know for Teens
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/know-about-drugs.html?WT.ac=p-ra#cattalk

Prescription Drug Abuse for Teens
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/prescription-drug-abuse.html?WT.ac=t-ra#cattalk

Partnership to End Addiction has some great tips and ideas for ways to talk and connect with your teenager.
https://drugfree.org/article/connecting-with-your-teen/

Centerstone offers excellent communication tips for parents of teens.
https://centerstone.org/teen/tips-for-adults-2/

Rogers Behavioral Health has parental resources for reducing the risk of teen addiction.
https://rogersbh.org/series/reducing-risk-teen-addiction

Lead-ins to initiate a discussion with your teenager:

“I care about you, and you’re a valued team member. I know you’ve been drinking on the weekends. This will cost you your spot on the team...”
“Your health and well-being are very important to me. I know you’ve been using drugs. Let’s talk about this. I need you to be honest with me...”
“Prescription drugs are dangerous and addictive. I know you’re abusing them. We need to have an honest conversation...”

Tips to Help Guide Your Teen Toward a Healthy, Drug-Free Life

Make sure your teen knows your rules and the consequences for breaking them.
Let your teen in on all the things you find wonderful about him.
Show interest and discuss your teen’s daily ups and downs.
Tell your teen about the negative effect alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs have on physical appearance.
Don’t just leave your teen’s anti-drug education up to her school.

Drugs by Another Name

“Molly” may be a friend’s name, but it may not. “Special K” is a breakfast cereal, but why would your kids be chatting about it? Have they actually been riding lately? If not, “horse” may not be what you think. Names for illicit drugs are ever-changing, so if something seems strange in your child’s communication, check it out. Ask questions of your child and others; give it a Google; see if your suspicions are warranted. Communication is key in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse.