If you are a parent of a middle or high school student who will be home alone this spring break, there are some things you need to know to keep your child safe and drug-free.
Research shows that unsupervised youth are three times more likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking and using other drugs.
For some of the younger teens and pre-teens, this spring break may be their first experience being without an adult for an extended period of time each day. Let’s talk about some other significant “firsts”: Everyday, 8,000 kids take their first drink of alcohol. Everyday, 8,000 kids use an illicit drug for the first time. Everyday, 6,000 kids smoke marijuana for the first time. And everyday, 2,000 kids try their first prescription painkiller (for non-medical purposes). These firsts are much more likely to happen under little or no supervision.
While your schedule may not permit you physically to be at home during your child’s spring break, there are certain things you can do to avoid these “firsts” for your child. It is important to safeguard all of your over-the-counter and prescription medications. Lock the liquor cabinet and make any other alcohol inaccessible. Make clear your expectations regarding smoking, drinking and using other drugs (Children whose parents talk to them often about not using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are 50% less likely to use in the first place). Set rules as to which friends (if any) are allowed over while you’re gone, as well as which friends’ houses your child may visit. Know where your child is and whom he/she is with at all times. Check in with your child throughout the day with a quick phone call or text (while you may not be there in person, your presence will be known and felt by your child).
Another risky behavior parents need to be aware of is inhalant use. Inhalants are common household products that can be misused to get high. It is referred to as “huffing,” and is the intentional breathing (through the mouth or nose) of gas or vapors for an immediate rush. Inhalant use can cause a range of negative side effects from convulsions to comas and like drugs, can be highly addictive and deadly. And because these products are cheap, legal and so common that kids need only open their home pantry or garage door for a quick and undetectable high, one in five kids will have used inhalants by the time they reach eighth grade.
Though it’s nearly impossible to secure all potential inhalant products, you can reduce availability by first knowing which products can be misused then securing the more dangerous chemicals while monitoring the others. It is also important to educate your child on the dangers by discussing the many risks associated with using inhalants. And once again, rule-out use by making it clear to your child that inhalant use (just like alcohol and other drugs) is not permitted.
Visit www.inhalant.org for a full list of abusable products, tips for talking with your child about the dangers and side effects of inhalant use, specific warning signs to watch out for, a FREE inhalant abuse toolkit, plus additional resources.
Supervision, at this age, is less about holding your child’s hand and hovering over their shoulder and more about taking certain precautions, setting clear expectations and arming your child with the knowledge and information to make smart and healthy lifestyle choices.
For more information on keeping your child safe and drug-free, visit www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org.
Research shows that unsupervised youth are three times more likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking and using other drugs.
For some of the younger teens and pre-teens, this spring break may be their first experience being without an adult for an extended period of time each day. Let’s talk about some other significant “firsts”: Everyday, 8,000 kids take their first drink of alcohol. Everyday, 8,000 kids use an illicit drug for the first time. Everyday, 6,000 kids smoke marijuana for the first time. And everyday, 2,000 kids try their first prescription painkiller (for non-medical purposes). These firsts are much more likely to happen under little or no supervision.
While your schedule may not permit you physically to be at home during your child’s spring break, there are certain things you can do to avoid these “firsts” for your child. It is important to safeguard all of your over-the-counter and prescription medications. Lock the liquor cabinet and make any other alcohol inaccessible. Make clear your expectations regarding smoking, drinking and using other drugs (Children whose parents talk to them often about not using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are 50% less likely to use in the first place). Set rules as to which friends (if any) are allowed over while you’re gone, as well as which friends’ houses your child may visit. Know where your child is and whom he/she is with at all times. Check in with your child throughout the day with a quick phone call or text (while you may not be there in person, your presence will be known and felt by your child).
Another risky behavior parents need to be aware of is inhalant use. Inhalants are common household products that can be misused to get high. It is referred to as “huffing,” and is the intentional breathing (through the mouth or nose) of gas or vapors for an immediate rush. Inhalant use can cause a range of negative side effects from convulsions to comas and like drugs, can be highly addictive and deadly. And because these products are cheap, legal and so common that kids need only open their home pantry or garage door for a quick and undetectable high, one in five kids will have used inhalants by the time they reach eighth grade.
Though it’s nearly impossible to secure all potential inhalant products, you can reduce availability by first knowing which products can be misused then securing the more dangerous chemicals while monitoring the others. It is also important to educate your child on the dangers by discussing the many risks associated with using inhalants. And once again, rule-out use by making it clear to your child that inhalant use (just like alcohol and other drugs) is not permitted.
Visit www.inhalant.org for a full list of abusable products, tips for talking with your child about the dangers and side effects of inhalant use, specific warning signs to watch out for, a FREE inhalant abuse toolkit, plus additional resources.
Supervision, at this age, is less about holding your child’s hand and hovering over their shoulder and more about taking certain precautions, setting clear expectations and arming your child with the knowledge and information to make smart and healthy lifestyle choices.
For more information on keeping your child safe and drug-free, visit www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org.
