SA国际影视传媒淪tudies show alcohol experimentation starts and cannabis exposure is starting ,SA国际影视传媒� says Chantal Vallerand, Executive Director at Drug Free Kids Canada. SA国际影视传媒淭hat can be hard to read, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 not all bad news. Studies also show that parents are for young teens and even young adults. That means you have a lot of sway with your kids and how they navigate their teen years.SA国际影视传媒�
Set your kids up for success this fall by creating an open dialogue around drug and alcohol use. Creating a safe environment for kids and teens to ask tough questions is one of the best ways to help them make healthy choices this school year.
around substance use should start long before the teen years, Vallerand says.
SA国际影视传媒淪tart healthy habits early by teaching toddlers that while vitamins and medicine taste good and are an important part of keeping them healthy, they can also make them sick if taken without permission from you,SA国际影视传媒� Vallerand says.
By the time kids are entering kindergarten they should be able to identify dangerous household products.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen talking about the packaging labels with images like SA国际影视传媒榝ire hazardSA国际影视传媒�, SA国际影视传媒榩oisonousSA国际影视传媒�, SA国际影视传媒榗orrosiveSA国际影视传媒�, or SA国际影视传媒榚xplosiveSA国际影视传媒�, try using words like SA国际影视传媒榟urtSA国际影视传媒�,SA国际影视传媒檅urnSA国际影视传媒�, or SA国际影视传媒榮tingSA国际影视传媒� so they know what those labels mean,SA国际影视传媒� Vallerand says. SA国际影视传媒淎lso be sure to place harmful products and all medicines somewhere safe, so they canSA国际影视传媒檛 be accessed by young children.SA国际影视传媒�
Parents and caregivers can start more honest and fact-based communication by age nine.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen starting more serious conversations remember that fear tactics generally donSA国际影视传媒檛 work,SA国际影视传媒� Vallerand says. SA国际影视传媒�, keep conversations light and casual. The goal is to create a safe environment around these topics so they feel comfortable coming back to you with future questions.SA国际影视传媒�
Create a substance use prevention plan
SA国际影视传媒淪ubstance use is often masking underlying struggles with healthy coping mechanisms,SA国际影视传媒� Vallerand says. SA国际影视传媒淎 good prevention plan should include helping your teen find healthy coping mechanisms for stress. If your teen is showing signs of struggling with their mental health, consider getting them sooner rather then later.SA国际影视传媒�
Research shows that who admitted to having used over-the-counter medication without a prescription say they got them from home, as a direct result of parents and guardians not securing medications. A amongst youth is that pills from home are safer than street drugs.
SA国际影视传媒淩emind your teens that all types of over-the-counter medication, including pain medication, prescription medication and natural medication are dangerous when used improperly,SA国际影视传媒� Vallerand says. SA国际影视传媒淜eep it secured safely in your home at all times and return any unused or expired medication to your local pharmacySA国际影视传媒�
Parent and youth support
Educate yourself so youSA国际影视传媒檙e prepared to answer questions your kids have about drugs and alcohol. Get the information you need to educate and support your child online at .
Concerned your child might be experimenting already? Find support by phone at 1-866-381-1511 or through live chat . Drug Free Kids CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 is available 24/7 offering answers to all of your questions and concerns.
For more information visit and follow them on , and for additional support and resources.
