What Parents Can Do About Teenage Alcohol and Drug Use
from Parents: The Antidrug
January 21, 2006
You Call The Plays
Research shows that parents are central to
preventing teen drug use. In fact, teenagers themselves say that
losing their parents' respect and trust are major reasons why they
don't use drugs. Parents are the first line of defense when it
comes to teens' drug use and drinking.
In a recent national survey, parents rated the use of performance-enhancing supplements and drugs and their No. 1 concern in youth sports. Yet, 81 percent of the young people surveyed said they had never had a conversation with their parents about the substances, and 69 percent said they had not received information from their sports teams.
Refereeing in the Game of Life - Tips for Parents of Young Athletes
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Set rules. Let your teen know that marijuana, speed, alcohol, steroid and other illegal drug use is unacceptable and that these rules are set to keep him or her safe. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them. |
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Support and encourage his or her participation with school athletic teams or in non-school sports. Keep your children busy especially between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and into the evening hours. Research shows that teens who are involved in constructive, adult-supervised activities are less likely than other teens to engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking, sexual activity, cigarette smoking and marijuana and other illegal drug use. This is particularly important after school, in the evening hours, and also when school is out during the summer or holidays. |
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Talk to your teen. While shopping or riding in the car, casually ask him how things are going at school, about his performance or progress in sports competitions or practices, about his friends and teammates, what his plans are for the weekend, etc. |
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Know where your teen is, particularly after school hours. Occasionally check in to see that your teen is where he says he is going to be and that he is spending time with whom he says he's with. Confirm that he is at practice when he says he will be there. |
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Establish a "core values statement" for your family. Consider developing a family mission statement that reflects your family's core values. Talking about what they stand for is particularly important at a time when teens are pressured daily by coaches or teammates to win, succeed and be strong. |
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Spend time together as a family regularly and be involved in your kid's lives. Create a bond with your child. Attend games, competitions, and even some practices, but mask your own judgments about the final score or your child's performance. This builds up credit with your child so that when you have to set limits or enforce consequences, it's less stressful. |
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Take time to learn the facts about steroids, marijuana, drinking, speed and supplements. Talk to your teen about their harmful physical, social, and mental effects on young users. You may want to focus specifically on how use of these drugs could affect your child's performance on the playing field and his or her future as an athlete. |
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Get to know your child's teammates (and their parents) by inviting them over for dinner or talking with them at practices, games, meets or competitions or at team meetings. |
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Stay in touch with your child's coach(es), as well as with other adult influencers (camp counselors, teachers, guidance counselors) and have them inform you of any changes in your teen's performance and demeanor in competition, at practice or in the locker room which may suggest drug use. |
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Work with your teen athlete to develop some
straightforward "refusal skills" to help them avoid risky
situations. A teen might tell someone who offers
drugs:
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