Savvy Parents

Savvy Parents…are a powerful influence!

A parent’s influence is one of the greatest ways to help build protective factors in youth against alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence.

The Savvy Parent Series is a community-wide campaign to reach parents and adults in our community with prevention information and research-based topics that aid them in identifying and addressing issues with teens. CDAC believes it’s important to support the efforts of concerned adults to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, facts and figures related to drug, alcohol and tobacco use.   CDAC also offers research-based parenting programs like: Parenting Wisely for parents of adolescents; Incredible Years for parents of youth; and Nurturing Program for parents of children of various ages and in recovery programs.  Contact CDAC for more information.

Parents — Know The Facts!
All data from the 2006 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, based on the nationally recognized Communities That Care Survey, and providing accurate county-specific data in Florida every other year.

Our current Savvy Parent discussion topics include:

Cracking the Secret Codes: When young people talk about alcohol, other drugs and violence, they may use codes or slang words.

Bullying, How Parents Stay in Control: Bullying is not solicited by the victim and creates an imbalance in power between the bully and the victim.
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Girls at Higher Risks: Savvy Parents know the importance of talking to their daughters about the dangers of using alcohol and other drugs.
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Inhalants, Know the Facts: One in five teens will have tried inhalants by the time they reach eighth grade.
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Parents, Keep ‘Em Busy: Teens start using marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol for the first time, more often, between the spring and summer months.  Parents can provide safe alternatives to risky partying.

The Link Between Alcohol and Other Dangers: A teen who starts drinking at a young age is four times more likely to develop an alcohol dependency later in life.
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Marijuana, Know the Facts: The marijuana of today is about six times as strong as the marijuana of the 1970s.
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Prescription Drugs, What to Look For: The misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is a continuing problem in our area.
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Bonding with Your Children: You are the most powerful influence in your child’s daily life. 
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Internet Safety, Parents Hold the Key: Savvy Parents are aware of cyber dangers and monitor their child’s activity.

Parenting Wisely - for parents of adolescents 9 to 15.

Incredible Years – for parents of young children ages 2 to 8.

Nurturing Program - for parents of children of various ages and in recovery programs.


Parents - YOU are the most POWERFUL INFLUENCE in your child’s life.
Many parents think that peers and the media have all the influence in the child’s life, but that’s wrong.  Parents can be the buffer between negative influences and their children.  Research has shown us that children who have parents who spend time with them are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and be involved with violence.  Teens who don’t eat dinner with their families are 72 percent more likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

Listen-Listen-Listen
Get to know your kids and find out what is going on in their lives.

When you build a good relationship with your child based on trust and respect, they will come to you with their questions and problems in adolescence.  So work at bonding together as a family.  When there is strong family bonding:

Kids are less likely to use alcohol and drugs.
Your child will feel valued.
Your child will do better in school.
You will notice warning signs if there are problems for you to address.
Your children will listen to you more often.