| Open communication with children about your
feelings on drug abuse, discussing common situations with them and setting
no-alcohol/no-drug-use rules and specific consequences for breaking the rules
are also needed. Kids should clearly understand that the rules are not just
a household rule but are the same rule wherever they go regardless of the
situation.
It is possible to teach children about drugs
on an age appropriate level but parents should understand that kids admit
they used an average of two years before their parents knew about it!
1) Preschoolers
Parents can start teaching about drugs by instilling
a value of respect for our body. By pointing out harmful household poisons,
cleaning products and teaching medicine bottle safety young children can
lean to only put good things into their body to stay healthy and strong.
Work with children to increase their decision-making skills, communication,
problem solving techniques and self confidence can also help prevent drug
abuse, as they get older.
2) K- 3rd Grade
Studies show that children ages 5-9 years old
can mix fantasy and fact and television only adds to the problem. When parents
discuss drugs with school age children it can help to include real stories,
real people and see concrete consequences. Explain the difference between
good drugs (prescribed by a doctor and closely followed instructions) and
harmful drugs. Children at this age are also very trusting of anyone older
than them and will need to be reminded that it is not always "right" just
because someone tells them to.
3) Grades 4-6
This is an important time for parents to ask
a lot of questions not just, "Where did you got it" but "Will parents be
there?" Kids will be testing limits and parents need to be united and firm.
As friends become your child's focus you will need to know who their peers
are and make sure that your home environment is full of activities, communication
and unconditional love! Parents can also help by role-playing possible drug
offering scenarios and helping your kids form a "ready response" to say in
these situations.
Parents need to be more informed about drugs
and alcohol than our children are. We cannot educate our children with current
and correct information if we are not first educated. What should your goals
be and where do you start? Through drug recognition.
By working with local law enforcement agencies
and by obtaining parenting guides available through the Department of Education
(1-800) 646-0100, parents should be able to learn the most common drugs in
their area, what they look like and dangers associated with each. It is important
for parents to know the street names of the drugs and be able to identify
drug paraphernalia as well.
New street drugs are being developed everyday
by modifying the chemical structure of current well known drugs. "Designer
Drugs" are designed to be more potent than the original drug causing severe
effects to the user. To stay on top of new drugs and find more educational
resources the Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency has community based drug
prevention projects ongoing. Parents can also contact their local school
for more information in contacting the National PTA Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Prevention Project in Chicago, IL.
~~
More information can be found at:
Addiction Free Forever
Program. A complete at-home addiction recovery program that permanently
and naturally cures an alcohol or drug addiction.
My Out-Of-Control
Teen. Online parent-coaching for parents with out-of-control teens.
~~
Author Rachel Webb designs large and
decorative write-on/wipe-off magnetic fridge calendars made entirely out
of heavy-duty magnet! Guaranteed not to slide off when the kids slam the
fridge door! E-Mail Rachel@Note-Ables.com and mention this publication for
a $2.00 off coupon.
http://www.Note-Ables.com.
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