Growing Up Drug Free A Parent's Guide to Prevention

Parenting can be the most rewarding job on earth—and sometimes the toughest. You cradle your newborn the first time and promise, either silently or aloud, to provide the best life possible for him or her. The years quickly fly by—and suddenly, your youngster is about to enter school. If you’re like most people, that is a scary day. How will little Sara react to being away from me? What will happen if Noah misbehaves? Will the teacher provide the attention that Riley needs in order to learn? As your child grows older and continues to achieve new milestones, your concerns grow, too. Can I trust Sara being home alone after school until I get home? What will Noah do if his friends offer him a cigarette? Will Riley’s friends tempt her to try drugs? These types of worries are normal and show that you are a loving, attentive parent who wants what is best for your child. Reading this booklet also shows that you are concerned and that you want to help your child achieve a healthy, drug-free lifestyle from preschool through high school—a dozen or so critical years when attitudes about drug use are formed. Many school districts across the country have had to cut funding for alcohol and drug education programs, making it even more important that you are informed, consistent, and current when you communicate with your child about drugs and alcohol. This publication was designed to help you understand: The substances children are exposed to and where they get them. It will explain the names (and “street names”) of common drugs, how they’re used, their effects, where children obtain them, and how to know if your child is using them; Which children are most at risk for using drugs and how you can offset some of those risk factors; The importance of providing what are called protective factors—at home, in school, and in the community. How to talk to your children about drugs and alcohol. It will suggest ways to initiate conversations with your child at different ages and at various stages of physical and mental development; What role social media play in what your child learns about drugs; The steps to take if you suspect your child may already be using drugs or alcohol. This booklet also provides answers to questions your child may have and resources you can use to find more information or get help with your concerns. It covers important topics such as: Why drinking alcohol—even once—is a serious matter. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking, which is more than from all illegal drugs combined; The importance of maintaining a close relationship with your child. A child who gets through age 21 without smoking, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol is much less likely to do so as an adult. No one has greater power to influence your child’s behavior than YOU do, and a close bond can spare your child the negative experiences associated with illegal drug use. It may even save your child’s life.