Talk Early and Talk Often


Prevention is not a single conversation. Look for teachable moments and communicate the clear expectation of no use as the health standard for youth.


Establish clear expectations and consequences


  • While it may not always feel like it, parents and caregivers have a powerful influence on teen behavior: what you say and do matters.
  • Develop clear expectations of no use of any alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs
  • Model healthy behaviors for your kids
  • Talk about substance use as a health priority -- I care about your health and safety
    • Not using alcohol or other substances before age 21 is analogous to other health standards for youth. Parents/caregivers don't hesitate to set clear expectations about always wearing seat belts or bicycle helmets; why should substance use be different?
  • Make sure your kids know they can count on you if they need to get out of a risky situation and create a plan together (e.g., have a "code word" they can text you to say they need a ride)
  • Don’t provide alcohol or drugs to teens

Back to School Conversations for Parents & Caregivers

While exciting, the start of a new school year can also be challenging with new teachers, friends, and expectations. Identify ways to support the children and teens in your life: check-in daily, share a meal together, and start conversations. Parents and caregivers: remember, you are role models for your kids and the other young people you care about.

Download and share stickers/social media posts, available in English and Spanish, to help families gear up for the school year with the following key messages:

  • Prioritize Safety
  • Support Youth Mental Health
  • Set Goals and Expectations
  • Encourage Healthy Relationships
  • Prevent Youth Substance Use
 
 

What Does it Mean to Model Healthy Behaviors?

  • Do a Stress-Joy-Social Check-in: What do you do in moments of stress, joy, and sociability? If your responses always or often include alcohol, marijuana/THC, or other substance use, add some responses that do not include substances to model alternative strategies for your kids
 

SAMHSA's Talk. They Hear You. campaign offers resources for parents and caregivers in starting conversations about substance use. Research suggests that one of the most important factors in healthy child development is a strong, open relationship with a parent.

Use These 5 Goals When Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Other Drugs

  1. Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse.
  2. Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
  3. Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs.
  4. Show you’re paying attention and you’ll discourage risky behaviors.
  5. Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use.
“Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.”
— Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Learn about about protective factors and what adults can do to help prevent youth from using substances through the above video from Drug Free America Foundation.

Addiction Policy Forum has produced a parent toolkit and the following videos in English and Spanish about how parents can help prevent addiction:

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), created the Getting Candid message guide and other tools to support youth-serving providers and other adults in their efforts to prevent youth substance use.

Great Coalition Work

Parenting for Prevention 101

RyeACT Coalition developed a series of parent-focused handouts with prevention and mental health/child development experts. This series describes effective prevention throughout the stages of development.

Download the handouts by age below:


ONE CHOICE PREVENTION VIDEOS FOR TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND FAMILIES

North Coastal Prevention Coalition launched a video series in English and Spanish directed towards teens, parents/guardians and teachers/youth advisors to help promote the One Choice movement.

For Parents of College Students

College Parents Matter is a website of the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems that provides communication strategies for parents of college students to talk about alcohol and other drug use:

7 Tips for Good Conversation

  1. Don’t be afraid to start the conversation.
  2. As a family member, you are allowed to disapprove of drinking. Give yourself permission to disapprove.
  3. Banish any fear that your disapproval is naïve.
  4. Focus on one message during the conversation.
  5. Reject the myth that discouraging drinking is useless because everyone is doing it.
  6. Make communication a regular activity.
  7. Recognize the power of your influence.

Can I Teach my kid to drink responsibly?

It turns out that the best predictor of how much a student will drink during college is how much they drank during high school, and that goes for non-drinkers as well. Unfortunately, this evidence flies in the face of the popular misconception that turning alcohol into a "forbidden fruit" only heightens a student’s appetite for it. Everyone seems to know someone whose drinking “exploded when they got to college and escaped their family's strict controls”--but those cases are largely inaccurate.

“Condoning or encouraging underage drinking--even in the safety of your own home--only increases the likelihood that a student will drink that much more when they are away from their families. On average, and over time, students who do not drink during high school will have a lower chance of drinking excessively or developing problems during college.”


Support Our Work!

Support the One Choice prevention initiative of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with a tax-deductible donation.

 

  • 64% of high school seniors reported no use of any substance in the past month
  • 36% of high school seniors reported no use of any substances in their lifetime

Know the risks of Youth Substance Use

  • While no one starts using substances expecting to become addicted, 9 in 10 adults with a substance use disorder (addiction) began their use before age 18, many even earlier
  • One of the best ways to reduce later risk of addiction is to delay first use
  • Youth substance use a health issue, not a moral issue: substance use can change brain functioning and some changes may last even after a person has stopped using

Recognize Important Differences Between Substance Use "Then" and "Now"

  • The addictive and harmful products accessible to youth have changed dramatically in the last several decades and include:
    • High potency (90% THC) dabs
    • Alcopops, sweetened alcoholic beverages appealing to kids with up to 12% alcohol by volume
    • Vape pens delivering the nicotine equivalent to a pack of cigarettes, also used to deliver THC and flavorings
    • Pills designed to look like legitimate prescription medications, often cut with fentanyl
  • Access to the ever-growing array of drugs has exploded thanks to online sales and social media connections

Find Local Connections and Get Help When You Need It

  • Connect with your local community prevention coalitions to learn about youth substance use rates and prevention efforts in your community
  • Substance use puts teens at risk for many negative outcomes; act quickly if you suspect your child is using

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