When it comes to kids, alcohol and drugs, go for prevention

By Nestor Levesque, LMHC

Children and teens face a growing number of opportunities to experiment with an expanding number of drugs. Alcohol is still the number-one drug abused by teens, closely followed by marijuana and tobacco. We know the pain that substance abuse can wreak on families, businesses and our community.

Raising kids can be tough. Preventing them from abusing drugs—including alcohol—can be even tougher, but with courage and perseverance, parents and caregivers can help their kids to stay drug-free. Although this important objective may require us to reach beyond our personal comfort levels, we must. We cannot be afraid to have open and direct discussions with our kids about who they are with, where they are going and what drugs, if any, they might be using.

The best way for parents and caregivers to help kids avoid the potential pitfalls of drug- and alcohol-abuse is to remain informed and connected with their kids. Research suggests that strong involvement by adults with their children has a significant impact on the decisions of young people concerning the use of illicit drugs, including alcohol: Teens who hear anti-drug messages at home are 42 percent less likely to use drugs. Furthermore, 67 percent of kids say the main reason they avoid drugs is because they fear the loss of their parents’ pride and respect.

There is no question that adult participation helps prevent drug abuse in kids and adolescents. Here are some things parents can do:

• Be involved. Know who your kids hang out with. Invite them over for dinner. Ask about and try to meet their parents. Go early to pick up your kids from activities to observe their behavior. 

• Set limits. Strong anti-drug messages work. Establish rules about not using as well as the consequences of non-compliance. Most important, follow through with consequences if your child breaks the rules.  

• Supervise. Most kids get into trouble with drugs between 3 and 6 p.m. Keep kids busy and under adult supervision whenever possible. Sign them up for after-school programs and make sure they are doing their homework.  

• Communicate. Instead of asking questions that permit a one-word response, make open-ended statements. The question “How was your day?” usually brings the rousing reply: “O.K.” Instead, say “Tell me about your day.” Your teen will work just a little harder to answer and you’ll learn a whole lot more. 

• Listen. This is as important as talking. Listening is not passive. Repeating or paraphrasing what your child just said goes a long way in letting him or her know that you’re not only listening; you’re interested.

You can also find numerous resources on the internet, such as www.theantidrug.com, www.nida.nih.gov and www.health.org, as well as good publications for online viewing, including www.ncadi.samha.gov/media/prevline.

Education and involvement are the best tools for preventing drug and alcohol abuse. Learn as much as you can and share the information with your kids. Although they might not like your keeping tabs on them, you can remind them that it’s because you love them. You are not a pest; you are being a responsible parent or a caregiver.

Nestor Levesque, M.Ed., Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is clinical manager of Manatee Glens Adult Outpatient Services at the Manatee Glens Sixth Avenue facility, 379-391 Sixth Ave. W, Bradenton. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a master’s in education/counseling from Bridgewater State College, MA. A substance abuse and mental health counselor since 1984, he has provided counseling services in a number of facilities over the past 22 years. He joined Manatee Glens in November 2005.