Parents Make A Difference: Preventing Drug Addiction

A recent study showed that parental guidance and counseling went a long way in keeping their children from becoming drug addicts.

“Communication, education, and alertness are the key,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia. “Your child will be influenced by television, peers, classmates. Make sure your voice is the one they listen to.

“Someone may ask them to just ‘try’ a prescription drug, or marijuana, or a harder drug. This is the first step on the road to drug addiction. Make sure they are informed. A little prevention now will save countless heartbreak later.”

Join Together, a community effort to educate on drug addiction, gives the following tips:

Your child’s well-being is your first priority, but you may not be aware of the best ways to keep your child healthy and safe. Your influence is stronger than you may think.

Becoming well-informed about substance use problems can help you teach your child to make positive decisions, and becoming active in your community can contribute to protecting other children and adults from the harms of drug and alcohol use.

Action Steps
• Know where your child is at all times. Make an agreement with your child that you will always call the home of the friend he or she is going to visit.
• Encourage your child to invite their friends to your home so you can get to know them.
• Engage your child in an open and mutual dialogue about the dangers of substance use and promote healthy decision making.
• Pledge that you will always be available to give your child a ride if none of his or her friends are sober and able to drive. You can find more information about this idea at the SADD Contract for Life website.
• Get involved in the parent-teacher organization. Encourage discussions with other parents and pledge to agree that no parent will purchase alcohol for or allow underage teens to drink in their home.
• Contact your elected officials and ask them to support relevant underage drinking legislation such as higher alcohol taxes, social host laws, keg registration programs, graduated driver's license policies, etc.
• Ask your child's physician to screen for alcohol use during annual check ups. The CRAFFT is a valid screening tool specifically designed for physicians to screen adolescents. Ask your own physician if he or she screens all patients.
• Get involved in a community coalition.

*Source: JoinTogether.org

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment or drug education.

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