Prevention
Keep your youth safe
- Clearly tell your children (every time they go out!) your expectations that they not use illegal substances. Statistics tell us that the #1 reason kids choose to refrain from illegal substances is because they don’t want to disappoint their parents.
- Talk to your children in advance about situations that may arise around alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
- In order to remove themselves from uncomfortable situations, give your children permission to use you as their “scapegoat” to their peers.
- Offer your children a safe ride home if they are ever in a situation that threatens their safety. Assure them that no questions will be asked until you can have a calm and caring discussion regarding that situation.
- Tell your child you will be checking up on their plans, and then do it....' truth through verification.
- Remove or keep alcohol in a locked area of your home to avoid temptation for your children or your children’s friends.
- Get to know your children’s friends and their parents. Kids have a hotline of communication ....develop a network among parents, as well.
- Establish clear sleep over a rules or ban sleep overs altogether. Teens will often spend the night away from home if they plan to use illegal substances.
When your teen goes out
Tips & curfew laws
- Know where they are
- Use curfews. Set and consistently enforce curfew times.
- Be awake and interact with your children when they come home.
| Age | Weekdays | Friday & Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 | Home by 9:00 PM | Home by 10:00 PM |
| 12-14 | Home by 10:00 PM | Home by 10:00 PM |
| 15-17 | Home by 11:00 PM | Home by midnight |
Food for thought
What kids say:
“What stands between me and drugs is my parents and common sense.”
“I know that I’m making my parents proud.”
“My adoptive mother. Delivering me from an abusive past, helping the wounds to mend, helping me to trust again, and for being there when I needed her. I can never let her down! Thanks Mom!”