Start Talking Before They Start Drinking

Teens who learn anti-drug messages at home are 42% less likely to use drugs. (The Medical Foundation www.tmfnet.org).

You probably already know that underage drinking is dangerous and it may be that you've already talked to your kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. But were you really heard?

Virtually all parents in America (98%) say they've talked with their children about drugs and alcohol; meanwhile, only 27% of teens say they're learning about them at home, according to a national study by the (Partnership for a Drug-Free America, http://www.drugfree.org/Parent). This is also true in Cambridge. In the Cambridge Teen Health Survey (2006) 50% of high school students reported that their parents have never talked to them about alcohol or drug use.

The problem may be that parent communication is happening but has not been very effective. So how do you talk to your kids about this tough issue?

Talking about drugs and alcohol is not a five-minute talk. It's about building an ongoing dialogue. As your child grows up, they will need more and more information, so start early and build the groundwork for positive communication. Pre-teens (10-14 years old) are more receptive to what their parents say than are teens who become more tuned into peers. Therefore, now is the time.

Talking Tips

• Start early
• Have an ongoing conversation
  
• Be prepared
  
• Demonstrate positive decision-making
• Be a good example
• Establish a clear position on drugs and alcohol
• Discuss what makes a good friend
• Build self-esteem
• How to prepare your kids for peer pressure

Some Opportunities to Talk