How to Support Your Child

Drugs and alcohol are all around us and it’s important to help our children resist these influences. Here are some tips on things you can do as a parent:

• Be supportive:
  
  
  • Be a good listener.
  • Give clear no-use messages about drugs and alcohol.
  • Get to know your child’s friends and parents.
  • Monitor your child’s whereabouts.
  • Supervise teen activities.
  • Talk to your child often.
    
    
• Educate yourself on the signs that your child may be using:
  
  
  • Moodiness and irritability
  • Argumentative, disruptive, rule-breaking behavior
  • Sudden mood or personality changes
  • Low self-esteem or depression
  • Poor judgment; irresponsible behavior
  • Social withdrawal; pulling away from family, teachers, other trusted adults
  • Change in former activities or friends; general lack of interest
    
    
• Encourage your child to resist drugs and alcohol by teaching them ways to say no:
  
  
  • Switching topic (“hey, did you hear about the game last night?”)
  • Using an excuse (“I can’t, I’m meeting a friend in 10 minutes)
  • Put the “blame” on others/parents (“my mom would kill me if she found out”)
  • Walk away o State the facts (“No thanks, I’ve read about what drugs can do to your body”)