DRUG ADDICTION IN SCHOOLS

Talking About Drugs With Kids in
High School
(Ages 15-18)
By the time teens enter high school, they have
likely had many opportunities to try drugs,
alcohol, and/or tobacco. Even if they have
resisted the temptation, they’ve probably seen
their peers do it—sometimes to excess and
perhaps even with serious consequences. In
fact, they may know fellow classmates with
addiction issues. You can’t choose your
children’s friends— although parents have been
trying for years! But you can encourage them to
develop friendships with kids who do not
smoke, drink, or do drugs.
1. What they’re thinking. Teens this age
typically understand how substance use can
affect unborn children, how combining drugs
can be deadly, and how easy it is to go from
casual use to abuse to addiction. Enforce these
concepts when talking with your teenager.
During the last few years of high school, teens
are thinking about what their future holds, so
this is a great time to keep reminding them
that substance use can ruin their chances of
getting into college, being accepted by the
military, or being hired for certain jobs. Also,
remind them that keeping the community drug
free will make it a nicer place to raise a family
if they decide to put down roots there.
2. Debating what’s legal. An important issue to
discuss with your teenager (and with your
preteen in middle school) is the debate over
medical marijuana. Make sure your child knows
that “smoked marijuana” has not withstood the
rigors of science—it is not medicine and it is
not safe. Marijuana is harmful and it is illegal.
3. Granting independence—with love. Children
this age want independence, but you need to
set limits. Set curfews and other expectations
for your child’s behavior, establish appropriate
consequences for breaking rules, and
consistently follow through with enforcement.
Finally, tell children often that you care about
them and that they are important to you. Show
them you mean it by regularly spending one-on-
one time with them. Developing this strong
bond will make your child more likely to come
to you with questions or concerns about drugs,
alcohol, or other sensitive issues—encourage
that openness. Remember, even as children are
pushing for independence, they need someone
they love and respect to be involved. They need
YOU!
4. Know what’s trendy. Talk with your teen
about what you learn here and elsewhere about
the dangers of abusing prescription drugs.
Non-medical use of prescription medications to
get high is rising dramatically. A Pill
Identification Database is a good way to help
you identify some prescription drugs, but other
medications become trendy at times, and other
drugs may be specific to your community that
aren’t shown. Routinely ask your teen which
prescription drugs are an issue at school, in
friends’ homes, and at parties.
5. Drinking or drug use while driving. As teens
begin to drive and become even more
independent, establish clear rules about
drinking or using drugs while driving. Ask for
their input; then develop a written agreement
that spells out expectations for behavior and
specific consequences for breaking the rules.
For example, you may want to limit the hours
your teen can drive and grant (or deny)
permission to transport younger siblings.
Whether or not your city or state restricts the
number of passengers in your teen’s car, you
can do so as part of your written agreement.
You and your young driver should sign the
agreement to give it more credibility, then keep
it in a public area of the home to serve as a
constant reminder of what is expected. Here
are a few other examples you might include.
I will not drink alcohol and drive.
I will drive only from ____ a.m. until ____
p.m.
I will not stay at a party where alcohol is
served or drugs are present.
I will not ride in a car with a driver who has
been drinking or using drugs.
6. The “at home” party. Some parents
mistakenly believe “My teens and their friends
are safer drinking at home because they aren’t
out driving while intoxicated.” Even if state law
permits teens to drink at home at certain ages
under a parent’s supervision, it doesn’t mean
you should let them. Doing so may be setting
a dangerous example—essentially signaling you
approve of what may be illegal consumption of
alcohol in other settings. And if you give your
teen permission to host a party in your home,
never supply alcohol to your child’s friends.
Not only is it illegal, but you may well be held
liable for anything that happens to the minors
and any damage they cause— including what
happens when they leave the premises. Make
sure two responsible adults are present to
monitor the festivities in your home.
7. Continue to praise and encourage teenagers
for the things they do well and the positive
choices they make. Knowing you are proud of
them can motivate them to maintain a drug-free
lifestyle and to serve as a positive role model
for younger siblings.
Parenting doesn’t stop when a child goes to
college. Find out if there is a program during
freshman orientation that educates students
about campus policies, and health and
wellness or prevention programs related to
alcohol and other drug use. If so, attend with
your child, or at least be familiar with the name
of the person who is responsible for campus
counseling or prevention programs. Learn about
the college’s standards of conduct. Federal
regulations require any institution of higher
education receiving federal funding (most of
them do)to have a drug prevention program
that prohibits, at a minimum, the unlawful
possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs
and alcohol by students on campus property or
while participating in its activities. Colleges
must enforce these standards or risk serious
consequences, including loss of federal student
financial assistance. Ask about and understand
the college’s parental notification policy for
standards of conduct violations.
Make sure your child understands the penalties
for underage drinking, public drunkenness, illicit
drug use, using a fake ID, driving under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, assault, and other
alcohol-related offenses. Make certain your
child understands how alcohol and other illicit
drug use and abuse can be associated with
date rape, violence, and academic failure, as
well as have consequences after graduation.
This is also an important time to stress the
importance of the responsible consumption of
alcohol for when your college-age children are
of legal drinking age, and if they choose to
drink.