Alcohol and Drug Policy

Parents: Help Your Child Stay Alcohol and Drug Free

What you say to your child about using alcohol and drugs and the example you set makes a big difference! Young people say that their parents are a huge influence in their decision not to use alcohol or drugs. So they do listen, even though sometimes parents think they do not!

  1. Talk to your child about the real risks of using alcohol or drugs. For more information, check out http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/.
  2. Be a good role model for your child; children listen and observe. Don’t take part in any illegal, unhealthy or dangerous drug use practices or associate with others who do.
  3. Make parenting a priority. Even in today’s busy world, time is the most valuable gift you can give your child.
  4. Make rules and consequences and stick with them. Children say that rules and consequences show that you care about what happens to them. Adapt and adjust rules as children get older.
  5. Help your child learn what to say if offered tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Have them role play situations. It’s easier to stand up to negative peer pressure with some practice saying,” No” and being firm about it.
  6. Know who your child’s friends are and get to know their parents or caregivers.
  7. Watch for sign of stress in your child and help him/her learn ways to deal with it. Teenagers say that stress is one reason they start using drugs.
  8. Educate yourself. Keep up with the current drug trends, slang names, the signs of use and their short and long term consequences.
  9. Talk to your child’s teacher, school counselor and principal if you need more information or help with resources.

Adapted from US Department of Education and the Florida DOE Bureau of Family and Community Outreach