2. Preventing drug use

Today many parents are concerned about alcohol and illegal drug use and they need help to deal with this frightening threat to their children's health and well-being.

Schools and community groups can help parents on drug and alcohol abuse. Schools have a vital role in the development and delivery of drug education to young people. It is important for schools to recognize the value of engaging in discussions with young people, parents, professionals and members of the community about drug education and prevention programs. However, it is important to note that �schools alone cannot �solve� the drug problem. Parents have a vital part in drug education. It must begin at home long before the classroom and school.

Building strong relationships with children plays a major role in preventing kids from experimenting with drugs.

Here are some tips on what parents can do to prevent the drug use.

Parents can:

• Have strong, loving relationships with their children.

• Be available for their kids when needed.

• Talk and listen to their kids.

• Praise their kids.

• Teach standards of right and wrong.

• Set and enforce rules for behavior.

• Provide knowledge about the risks of using drugs. Show the facts about drugs and drug abuse.

• Be a good model

Setting Rules Against the Use of Drugs:

Although parents are concerned about illegal drugs they hesitate to discuss drug use with their kids. Some parents believe that their kids couldn't become involved with illicit stuff. Others don't know what to say or how to say it, or they are afraid of giving ideas to their children.

Parents are responsible for setting rules for their kids. When it comes to drug use, strong rules need to be established to save kids from the harms of drug use. Parents have to make the rules clear, and discuss the consequences of breaking them.

• Be clear. Tell what the rules are.

• Explain the reasons of your rules.

• Tell what behavior is expected.

• Explain the consequences of breaking the rules, such as what the punishment is going to be.

• Tell your kids �no drug use� applies at all time and everywhere, either they are at home or in a friend�s home.

• If the rule is broken react calmly instead of yelling or threatening him/her harshly.

• Be firm and expect the child to obey your punishment.

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3. How can I tell if my child is abusing drugs?

When children use drugs, most of the time, they show many different signs, which parents need to be aware of. No one symptom is a definite sign. Often parents are confused with a teen�s normal behavior and a sign of possible drug abuse but there are quite a few signs that can be recognized. Regrettably, many parents often disregard these signs as normal teenage behavior and as a consequence they don't notice that their kids are using drugs. Parents have to keep in mind that every child is in danger of drug abuse. If you notice a number of signs of drug use, you should talk about your concerns with your child.

• What to look for:

  • Friends: You have to take a close look at your child�s friends. Friends are more important than ever during the teen years. Because the influence of friends is so great, the wrong friends can affect your teen terribly such as convincing your teen to become involved in drugs, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use. Parents need to be aware of what's happening to their child at school and with friends. If your child is hanging out with a new group of young people lately, be aware of these new friends and the influence on your child. It is a good idea to make your home open and available to your teen and his friends often so you can have an idea who your child�s friends are.

  • Changes in behavior: Be aware of your child�s mood change. Does he/she seem very happy one day and depressed the next day? Are there constant emotion swings? Does he/she act unfriendly and distant? Has your child lost interest in his/her previous activities and hobbies? Does he want to be alone and isolate himself from family? Has your child developed a violent side? Does he suddenly burst of anger?

  • Changes in physical appearance: Do your son's or daughter's eyes look funny? Are they red all the time? Glazed? Puffy? Are the pupils real large or real small? If so, there's a real good chance your child is using drugs.

  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns: Does your child sleep at inappropriate times? Does he/she sleep way too much or way too little? Does he stay up too late or even all night and refuse getting up in the morning at a certain time? Does he/she eat way too much or way too little? Has your child lost weight?

  • Change in school performance: Does your child skip class? Has he lost interest in doing his/her homework and assignments? Have your child's grades lowered? Does he seem to have a lack of motivation in school? Does he/she have discipline and behavioral problems in school?

  • Excessive money spending or money disappearing: Drugs cost money. If your child keeps coming to you needing money, or if money keeps coming up missing from your purse or your wallet, you need to have a serious talk with your child. Especially if they always seem to need 20 dollars or 50 dollars -- round amounts -- since that is often the price drugs cost.

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