› Keeping your kids DRUG FREE

Kids who learn from their parents about the dangers of underage drinking, drugs and other harmful substances are less likely to use those substances. You have the power to keep the child you love safe, healthy and drug free.

We provide you some tips that can help you:

- Be involved in your kid’s lives.
- Do all you can to learn everything about the drug scene so that you can educate your kid correctly on the dangers of the drugs.
- Establish a weekly routine for doing something special with your child.
- Don’t be reluctant to ask where your kids are going, who they’ll be with and they’ll be doing.
- Get to know your kid’s friends and their parents.
- Be clear that you don’t want your kids using drugs –ever or anywhere. Talk often, not just once or twice a year, about the results of drug and alcohol.
- Be a better listener. Ask questions, paraphrase what your child says to you, and ask suggestions about family decisions.
- Eat together as often you can.
- Don’t let your child alone in home.
- Make sure where is your child after school
- Answer questions honestly. If you don’t now, offer to find out
- Use TV reports and commercials to talk about drugs in unforced way.
- Don’t react to your child’s perhaps-upsetting comments about drugs in a way that will cut off discussion. Try to move to a calm discussion of why your child thinks people use drugs and whether the effect is worth the risk.
- Role a play with your child to practice how to refuse drugs and alcohol in different situations.
- Create rules and talk in advance about the consequences of breaking them. Don’t make idle threats, but also don’t impose harsh or unexpected new punishments.
- Have kids check regularly. Give them change, a phone card, pager or cell phones if necessary.
- Don’t be afraid to stop by party night to say hello to your child.
- Show up a little early to pick up your child so you can observe her behavior.
- Occasionally check to see that your kids are where they say they’re going to be

“ Everybody thinks their kid is beyond taking drugs…nobody’s beyond it”