Protecting Your Child from Drugs - Teaching Children the Dangers of Drug Use

 It can be very scary to accept the thought that your child will be exposed to drugs.  But as a parent you are your child's best resource when it comes to teaching them about the dangers of drugs along with teaching ways to refuse drugs.

Children need to learn about the dangers of drugs and ways to resist drugs before they encounter them.  By being in denial about drugs in your area is dangerous to your child.  Drugs are out there in small towns and big cities.  Children of all races and family incomes are at risk of being exposed to drugs. 

As a parent, there are some behaviors you can overlook.  Using drugs is not one of them!  If you learn your child is being exposed to, or using drugs, take action.  It's one of the most important things you can do to protect your child.  You can give your child the education he or she needs to stay drug-free!!

No matter where you live children usually are exposed to drugs at some point.

Facts:

• More and more teens say that facing drugs is their biggest problem
• Most teens do not learn enough about the risks of drugs
• Teens who learn about drugs at home are less likely to use them

Some parents may fear that by talking to a child about drugs will raise that child's interest about drugs.  Current research shows that drug use is less likely among teens whose parents have taught them about the dangers of drugs.  Only about 1/3 of all teens say that they have learned a lot about the risks of drugs at home.

Children get strong messages from their peers about how to think and act.  They also want the approval of their peers.  If your child's friends are using drugs, it's likely that he/she will be tempted to try them.

Children watch and imitate adults.  They learn how to act grown-up from adult actions.  So when an adult reaches for a beer or cigarette at the end of a hard day, a child learns that these are acceptable ways to relax.  The same goes for seeing adults take any over-the-counter drugs casually.

Images of drugs are everywhere.  They are on TV, in magazines, movies, music, sports events, and on the Internet.  Studies have found that children watch children's television for only 10% of their viewing time.  The other 90% is spent watching adult programs. 

You need to give your child the facts about drugs and why they are dangerous. It's important to talk in ways that fit your child's age.

Young Children:

Find moments for short talks about drugs. The drug message is all around so it is easy to find ways to start conversations.

• Talk after seeing a movie where drugs were used.
• If your child sees people smoking or drinking at a holiday party, talk afterward. Point out that many adults chose not to use those drugs.
• Explain differences between drugs and medicine.

Preteens:

Avoid lecturing, instead explain your views about drugs. Follow through by being a good role model. Give your child the facts and support your views about drug use with current information from trusted sources. Never use scare tactics. Instead, talk about the risks in a matter-of-fact way. Let your child know that drugs can lead to:

• brain, liver, and other body damage
• taking risks with sex
• a criminal record
• death

Teens:

Focus on how drugs can hurt teens today, things that are part of your teen's daily life.

• appearance
• schoolwork
• performance in sports

Always listen to your teen. Ask what he/she thinks about drug use. Try not to overreact with their questions. It may help to pause before responding. Talk about you teen's opinions before giving your own.

If your child ever asks if you had tried drugs you should make a careful decision about how to respond. While it is important to be honest, a child may be upset to learn about a parent's past drug use. You should ask your child why he/she wants to know so that you can understand what it is they are trying to find out. If you do decide to discuss past drug use do not give too many details. Use the moment to teach your child more about the dangers of drugs and why you want your child to avoid them!

Stimulants or "Uppers"

These drugs speed up the central nervous system and affect brain activities.  Stimulants usually make a person more alert and energized.  They may also make a person jittery, anxious, and unable to sleep.  Stimulants include:

• nicotine from tobacco products
• cocaine which is sniffed, smoked, or injected
• crack cocaine which is smoked
• misused prescription drugs, such as certain medications used to treat attention-deficit disorders
• amphetamines which can come in a variety of forms that come as pills.  "Meth" or "ice" is a smokable form.  There are also forms that can be snorted or injected.

Depressants or "Downers"

These drugs slow down the mind and body.  They include:

• alcohol which is the commonly used and abused depressant
• misused prescription drugs, such as; sleeping pills and tranquilizers

Narcotics

These are drugs that have either natural or man-made forms of opium.  In general they relieve pain and reduce anxiety.  Narcotics include:

• morphine which is used to as a pain medication, people addicted to morphine usually inject it
• codeine which is used in pain medication and in prescription cough syrup
• heroin which is usually injected, but newer more pure forms can be snorted or smoked

Hallucinogens

These drugs cause hallucinations.  Some hallucinogens, such as peyote, occur in nature.  Other forms are made in labs.  These include:

• LSD which is taken orally.  LSD is usually sold in tablets, squares of gelatin, or paper
• PCP which is sold as a powder, it also comes as tablets or a liquid

Inhalants

These are substances that become, or release, a gas at room temperature.  A user may become intoxicated from sniffing them or 'huffing" them.  Inhalants include:

• gasoline and lighter fluid
• certain spray products
• paint and airplane glue
• nitrous oxide
• amyl nitrate
• butyl nitrate

Cannabis

This is the plant that marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil come from.  Depending on the user it may act like a stimulant or a depressant.  High doses may cause hallucinations.

Anabolic Steroids

These are drugs or hormones that promote muscle growth.  Some have been approved for medical use.  But most are smuggled into the U.S.  They are usually taken by mouth or injected.

Club Drugs

These may also be known as party drugs because they became popular at dance parties called "raves."  They include:

• MDMA or ecstasy which is a designer drug.  Designer drugs are altered versions of other drugs which have no medical use and are illegal.  Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.
• Ketamine this is a tranquilizer for animals.  It acts as both a hallucinogen and an anesthetic.
• Rohypnol or "Roofies" which is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system.  It is also called a "date rape drug" because it has been used to commit rape and other crimes.
• GHB or "Liquid X" this is a depressant that is also called a date rape drug.

Cough and Cold Medications

Some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines contain the ingredient dextromethorphan or DXM.  Taken in large doses it can act as a hallucinogen.  It may be swallowed as a cough and cold medicine or extracted and put into powder form to be snorted.

If you suspect your child is using drugs do not ignore your suspicions. The sooner you find out what is going on, the better you can help your child. If you do discover for sure that your child is using drugs:

• Stay calm, even though this may be difficult. Your child may refuse to talk honestly if you are angry or accusing him/her. Wait until your child is sober and you are calm to talk.
• Be sure to get the truth. Ask direct questions and avoid assuming things. Find out what your child is taking and when, where, and how.
• Take a stand by telling your child you will not tolerate his/her drug use. Discuss your "no use' rule. It is crucial that you enforce the consequences for breaking this rule.
• Explain the danger of drugs again. Your child may think he/she knows all about drugs. It is your job to make sure that he/she actually does.
• It is not enough just to tell your child to stop taking drugs. You need to take an active role by getting involved in your child's life by spending more time together and you can also involve your child's friends in family activities.

Understand what is behind your child's drug use and talk about possible solutions. Some children use drugs because they:

• are under stress
• are bored
• are curious
• don't feel good about themselves
• feel lonely
• want to feel grown-up
• want to be more popular

You!!! Because you are the most important person in your child's life. Your love is a powerful force. Make sure your child knows you love him/her no matter what. And your values matter to your child. Teach your child about what you believe and the behavior you expect. Give your child the facts about drugs and the tools to resist them!!