What Parents Can Do
- Be your kids’ greatest fan. Compliment them on all of their efforts, the strength of their character and their individuality.
- Get your kids involved in adult-supervised after-school activities. Ask them what types of activities they’re interested in and contact the school principal or guidance counselor to find out what activities are available. Sometimes it takes a bit of experimenting to find out what your kids are best suited for, but it’s worth the effort-feeling competent makes kids much less likely to use drugs.
- Help your kids develop tools they can use to get out of alcohol or drug related situations.
- Get to know your children’s friends and their parents. Call them and check to make sure they share in your views on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
- Call kids’ parents if their home is to be used for a party. Make sure that the party will be alcohol-free and supervised by adults.
- Set curfews and enforce them. Let kids know the consequences of breaking curfew.
- Encourage open dialogue with your children about their experiences. Make sure your children understand that they can ask you anything and that you will give them an honest answer.
- Set a no-use rule for alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
- Sit down for dinner with your children at least once a week. Use the time to talk-don’t eat in front of the TV.
- Get-and stay-involved in your children’s lives.
