How to Encourage Your Teenager to Avoid Drugs

Teaching your teenager to avoid drugs starts with straightforward discussion about the consequences of taking mind-altering substances. The U.S. Department of Education recommends the following guidelines.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Substance Abuse Rehab Centers

1. Talk about the immediate and long-term effects of consuming drugs, tobacco or alcohol: bad breath, stained teeth, increased risk of cancer and liver disease.

2. Discuss impaired judgment and related risks of mind altering substances such as driving under the influence or getting into dangerous sexual situations.

3. Mention the role of drugs in interfering with a student's future plans, such as going to college and eventually starting a family.

4. Point out the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in relation to pregnancy, including birth defects in newborns.

5. Warn your teen about the hazards of combining drugs.

6. Discuss medical marijuana and the debate over legalization of marijuana.

7. Explain that the component of marijuana with medicinal value is delta-9-terhydrocannabinol (THC). It can be prescribed by doctors in pill form, which lacks the cancer-causing chemicals of smoked marijuana.

8. Praise and encourage your teen when he or she makes good decisions and achieves long-worked-for goals.

on 6/30/2006 My parents never talked to me about anything. Now they expect me to talk to them about things. I can't, it's how I was raised. I keep to myself and I can't help it. Talk to your child when they are young; this will help you when he/she get caught drinking or smoking. Because my parents never talked to me about anything (I really do mean anything), I don't talk to them about when I got caught. You must have a good and active relationship with your child.

on 11/22/2005 If your child is using drugs, put them in an In-patient care center right away. This way they know that this is not a game. It is better to show them where they could end up if they do drugs now, rather than have them find out once it is too late.

on 11/22/2005 The most important thing is to trust your kids. The way my Mom put it - "Drugs make you feel great, but there's no point. The loss of control is a price too high to pay."

I'm 16, my Mom has never once hassled me or accused me of using drugs. I have never given her a reason to do so. It is my experience that the parents who accuse and harass their kids are the parents whose kids are more likely to use drugs.

on 11/22/2005 My parents have always been very open about drugs and alcohol with me. It also helped that my parents let me drink casualy at home, such as wine with dinner, or a beer durring the game. It's natural for a kid to hide drugs or alcohol in the begining no matter how open you are. The first time my parents caught me, they just teased me about it, and then they talked with me about it later (when i was sober). I'm still under 21 and i still go drink but i'm smart about it, and they know that. Most kids do at least experiment, i know all of my friends have, the important thing is to make sure they're smart about it.

on 11/22/2005 Explain the fact that most drugs are illegal. The fact that they may do it for a while and not get caught may make you feel invincible for a while, but your time will come. Don't think it can't happen to you because it will - it always does.