Just as you protect your kids against illnesses like measles, you can help "immunize"
them against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.
When kids don't feel comfortable talking to parents, they'll seek answers elsewhere,
even if their sources are unreliable. And kids who aren't properly informed are at
greater risk of engaging in unsafe behaviors and experimenting with drugs.
Parents who are educated about the effects of drug use and learn the facts can
give their kids correct information and clear up any misconceptions. You're a role
models for your kids, and your views on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can strongly influence
how they think about them. So make talking about drugs a part of your general
health and safety conversations.
Preschool to Age 7
Before you get nervous about talking to young kids, take heart. You've probably
already laid the groundwork for a discussion. For instance, whenever you give a fever
medicine or an antibiotic to your child, you can discuss why and when these medicines
should be given. This is also a time when your child is likely to pay attention to
your behavior and guidance.
Take advantage of "teachable moments" now. If you see a character in a movie or
on TV with a cigarette, talk about smoking, nicotine
addiction, and what smoking does to a person's body. This can lead into a discussion
about other drugs and how they could cause harm.
Keep the tone of these discussions calm and use terms that your child can understand.
Be specific about the effects of the drugs: how they make a person feel, the risk
of overdose, and the other long-term damage they can cause. To give your kids these
facts, you might have to do a little research.
Ages 8 to 12
As your kids grow older, you can begin talks with them by asking them what they
think about drugs. By asking the questions in a nonjudgmental, open-ended way, you're
more likely to get an honest response.
Remember to show your kids that you're listening and really paying attention to
their concerns and questions.
Kids this age usually are still willing to talk openly to their parents about touchy
subjects. Starting a dialogue now helps keep the door open as kids get older and are
less inclined to share their thoughts and feelings.
Even if your questions don't immediately result in a discussion, you'll get your
kids thinking about the issue. Show them that you're willing to discuss the topic
and hear what they have to say. Then, they might be more willing to come to you for
help in the future.
News, such as steroid use in professional sports, can be springboards for casual
conversations about current events. Use these discussions to give your kids information
about the risks of drugs.