Keeping Children Off Drugs: It is a Parent's Responsibility

In today's society it is so much more important to make every effort to keep our children away from drugs. Here are just a few tips on how to talk to your child and some warning signs of drug use.

First of all talk to your child about drugs and what they can do. Begin by approaching your child with a calm and respectful attitude. Tell them you love them and you want to talk to them to keep them happy and healthy. Never ever talk to them in a way the child thinks what you are saying is a joke.

Be straightforward and to the point. Do not go around and around to get the message across. Just flat out tell them what drugs can do to them including kill them. That may sound harsh to tell a child that, but sometimes it has to be said the get the point to hit home.

Make certain you listen to your child also. Let them do some talking and asking questions. If you do not know the answer to a question, do not make something up. Go online, contact a D.A.R.E. officer, or ask someone you are sure would know, and find out the correct answer.

Be certain that the talk you have with them is not just a one time thing. Keep reminding them of the dangers. Ask them if they know anyone who uses drugs. Be honest and open with them continuously.

The worst thing a parent can suspect about their child is that the child is using drugs. But please always be aware of any signs of drug use.

Signs can include but are not limited to: sleeping pattern changes, speech slurring or agitated speech, weight loss or gain the is very sudden or dramatic, blood shot eyes, bruises or abrasions on the skin, poor hygiene or neglecting their appearance, and they are sick a lot more often than usual. Behavioral signs may include: not going to school, lying about use or getting agitated if asked about it, loss of interest or control, avoiding eye contact, negative reports from teachers or others, locking their doors all the time, and going out every night. These are just a few signs of a long list.

If you notice any or all of these signs in your child/children, seek professional help immediately. Do not wait to see if you are just imagining things or if the child "gets better". If they are on drugs, things usually go down hill fast instead of getting back to normal.

As a parent it is your responsibility to do every thing possible to keep your child off drugs.

Here are just a few things: make sure you respect your child and be their "biggest fan" (encourage them in everything they try to do), get them involved in adult supervised activities, know who their friends are and then get to know their parents, make sure the friend's parents have the same view on drugs as you do, set curfews for the child and make sure to enforce them (do not even let one slide unless the child has called you to let you know what is going on), stay involved in your child's life, and know what they are doing at all times.

Children are truly gifts from God. So please take the time to protect those gifts. It is your responsibility as parents to talk to your child about drugs and to get them help if you suspect drug use.

For more information (which is also the source I used for this article) go to www.dare.com. This site has an extremely large amount of very informative information about children and drugs. It also has several other sources where you can get information and/or help about drug use in children.

Personal note: Since my husband and I are on several prescription medications, we began talking to our little boy when he was around two and a half years. It is never ever to early to talk to them, but it sure can turn out to be too late.