Prevention    *     Education     *     Awareness

Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc.

Your Influence is More Powerful Than You Think

Parents have a bigger impact on their child's decision about using alcohol and drugs than they think.  Research has shown that parental attitudes, specifically disapproval of substance use, are the most important influences on a child's choices.

Studies indicate that teenagers who feel close to their families are least likely to engage in any of the risky behaviors studied:

· Drinking alcohol

 

· Smoking cigarettes

 

· Smoking marijuana

 

· Using cocaine, ecstasy and other illicit drugs

 

Some Good Advice

Early on parents should establish:

· Clear standards and healthy beliefs

 

· Activities such as eating dinner together

 

· High expectations regarding no drug use

 

Don't fear that by introducing the topic of drugs you're 'putting ideas' into their heads. You're letting them know about potential dangers in their environment so that when they are confronted with them, they'll know what to do.

Don't be hesitant to speak with your child because you consume alcohol or have tried illicit drugs in your youth. There are ways to work with this information and still deliver a strong "don't use" message to your child.

CDAC has a lot of information that will help you talk with your child, please call us at 434-2724.

If you'd like to know more about area youth substance abuse, check the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey.

Tips for Parents