Cactus Village Community

10 Steps to Help Your Children Say No to Alcohol and Other Drugs

Jul 08, 2003

By CAO Cindy Kralovetz

Courtesy of Office for Substance Abuse Prevention

1. Talk to your children about alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Make sure they understand the dangers and problems of AOD use by youth.
2. Learn to really listen to your children. Just talking to your child is only half the job. You can help keep open the line of communication by knowing how to listen, and by knowing when to listen and not talk.
3. Help your children feel good about themselves. Preteens and adolescents are often unsure of themselves. Knowing that their parents have confidence in them and believe in their self-worth means a lot. You can communicate this faith in them by giving lots of specific and believable praise and encouragement to your children at appropriate times
4. Help your children develop strong values. A strong value system anchored in a clear sense of right and wrong can give your children the courage to make decisions based on facts and sound values rather than on peer pressure.
5. Be a good role model.
Your children are very aware of your habits and spoken and unspoken attitudes concerning AOD use. They will tend to follow your example.
6. Help you children deal with peer pressure. Children who are taught to be gentle and agreeable also may need skills to resist peer pressure. Help them practice ways they can say ?“no?” and feel confident about themselves and their decisions.
7. Set firm rules against AOD use. Have clear family rules. Tell your children that they are not allowed to drink, smoke, use other, or engage in other activities to which you object. Be sure they thoroughly understand the consequences of breaking these rules. Enforce the rules consistently.
8. Encourage healthy, creative activities. Make sure your children have enough structure in their daily lives. Create activities for them or encourage them to take part in sports, school programs, or hobbies they might enjoy. Join your children in having fun.
9. Talk with other parents.
They?’re all going through the same things you are. Networking with neighborhood parents and community groups can help. If your child is going to a party or getting together with friends, make sure there is a chaperone and that there will be no alcohol or other drugs.
10. Know what to do if you suspect a problem. Learn to recognize the telltale signs of AOD sue, and get appropriate help quickly from a doctor or other professional.

Community Information and Referral can help in the following areas:

?• Human Services
?• Health Needs
?• Emergency Food
?• Crisis Counseling
?• Emergency Housing
?• Mental Health
?• Legal Assistance
?• Financial Assistance
?• Disabilities Resources
?• Support Groups

Or any other problems and you don?’t know who to call, (602)263-8856 . . .☺