Want To Keep Your Teen Away From Drugs? Use These Five Teachable Moments

A recent article from Naperville, Illinois talks about the increase in heroin use among teens in that community.  The article posted in the Beacon News talked about a mother's concern after hearing about her son's friends, who had died from overdoses of the highly addictive drug.

The statistics in the suburbs are startling-- 320% increase in heroin use in the last decade. It's second only to the most common drug of choice, alcohol.  The issues facing the suburban parents are vast. There is so much misguided information from teens and such limited amounts of information that actually filter out to teens that they frequently don't see the risks until it is too late.

In one community according to the article, heroin could be responsible for as many as 14 young lives lost in the last few years in Naperville. This is a similar sounding epidemic that occurred in suburban Plano, Texas. It echos the epidemic gripping the suburbs of Chicago.

The pressures facing teens are intense-- especially fitting in. Because teens are not prepared to handle these stressors teens cannot navigate the minefield of early teen life, particularly when faced with drugs.

Parents can help bridge that gap facing your teen by talking about the dangers of drug use. Through teachable moments you can dramatically impact your teen's thoughts on the use of drugs. The only other option is not talking and the results might be catastrophic.

Having trouble talking to your teen about the risks of drugs and alcohol? Here are five everyday examples of easy ways to bring up the topic.

• Fictional Character -You just took your teen to a PG-13 movie in which one of the main characters drinks and smokes excessively. It’s a good thing you insisted on tagging along, because now you have the opportunity to discuss the film—especially that lead character’s addiction—with your teen. Did your son think the main character’s drug use was cool or did he recognize that she had a problem?
• Movie Star - Your daughter reads every magazine she’s in, owns all her movies, and has her posters taped to her wall. So what happens when her magical movie star goes to rehab for the third time? When that famous face graces the cover of Us Weekly, ask your daughter why she thinks Britney or Lindsay or Paris or whoever it may be this week is such a cool person. If your daughter only cares about her expensive clothes and good looks, remind her that her role model should also be someone who drinks responsibly and either doesn’t do drugs or has taken the initiative to get help for her drug problem.
• Professional Athlete - For as long as you can remember, you’ve taught your daughter that “cheaters never win.” Unfortunately, this holds true when her favorite athlete is in the news for taking drugs. Ask your daughter how she feels about professional athletes using illegal substances of any kind and point out how much it can hurt a person’s career and reputation —especially when they get caught.
• Classmate - You don’t need a movie star to get the conversation going with your teen. Two kids in your son’s school each received a DUI over the weekend — and they had other friends in their car when it happened. A lot can come out of this conversation — why drunk driving is so dangerous, the consequences of getting caught, and why you never want your son to get into a car with a friend who’s been using — no matter what.
• Relative - Substance abuse issues can often hit close to home, and it’s important that we’re open and honest with our kids when it happens. If you can, tell them all the details about your relative who is struggling. Explain why there’s a problem and how you, as a family, are going to do what you can to support one another through this tough time. If your teen isn’t asking a ton of questions, that’s okay—he might be feeling uncomfortable about the topic. It might help to emphasize that while addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life, it is always possible for him or her to make a recovery with the support of friends and family.

Parents Get Involved:

Considering helping in your community, join a community group or volunteer at your local school. Communities that care have a dramatic impact on teen drug use. 

• Organizations: Join an organization, like the Maine Center Youth Assistance Foundation, which can help you get involved and focus your efforts.
• Get Educated: Learn what drugs are being used in your community. Talk to your teen, other parents and experts in your community.
• Spread the Word: Talk to local media representatives, politicians and community leaders to help direct their focus as well as yours to protect your community.