Youth, Drugs & Alcohol

As parents, we hope we are raising our children to be strong enough to fight the temptations of drugs and alcohol.  Temptations that begin to haunt our children, as early as Junior High School.  As they get older, these issues seem to rear their ugly head on a more frequent basis.  If you think this isn’t happening at your kids school or with your children, than you are sadly mistaken.  It’s time to wake up!  Drugs and alcohol are everywhere.  Don’t sit by and let your child face these temptations alone.  Get involved, educate yourself and your children about the effects of drugs and alcohol and teach them how to deal with peer pressure.  The following sites have tons of information and resources available for everyone.

Stop Underage Drinking: www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

The Cool Spot: www.thecoolspot.gov

Too Smart To Start: www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov

Kids Health: www.kidshealth.org

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America: www.drugfree.org

The information on these sites provides parents and children with the facts, signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, ways to deal with peer pressure, real life scenarios and solutions and good practices and methods on how too steer clear of these substances.

Here are some quick facts for you:

• Alcohol has become one of the most widely used substances on the planet.  Amongst teens it is used more than illicit drugs and tobacco.
• Marijuana is the most commonly used drug amongst children.
• Prescription and Over the Counter drugs such as Ritalin, Oxycontin, Xanax and other OTC medications has increased and is easily obtained via the internet, your own home and at local stores.  If you think these forms of drugs are safer, you are sadly mistaken.  Addiction and possible death are waiting patiently around the corner.

With the many tools available out there, there is no need for excuses.  One only needs to educate themselves to become knowledgeable in the war against drugs and alcohol.  Doing so can help you help your child fight the temptations they currently face or will one day soon be facing.  It can also give you the information to understand, identify and aid a child who has already ventured down this ugly path.  Follow the four B’s of drug an alcohol prevention:  Be Alert, Be Informed, Be Prepared and Be There for your child when they need you the most.  Go to www.kidsandcoaching.blogspot.com to find more about kids, coaching and parenting.