Talking to Children About Sex, Drugs and Alcohol

Our children are beginning to be exposed to sex, drugs and alcohol at an earlier age every day.� Children as young as 9 years old are having to make decisions about drugs, alcohol and sex.� Parent are having to find ways to address the issues in an age-appropriate manner.� This isn't always easy but there are some great websites on the Internet that will help make the ramifications clear, and show you how to help your child steer clear of the temptation that may come their way.� Parents, The Anti-Drug, is a website that is focused exclusively on the best ways to approach your children in an age-appropriate manner.� The dynamics are changing and girls are beginning to catch up with boys in terms of drug and alcohol abuse.�� You can also find out what the signs of abuse are.� This is important so that you can recognize it in your child and, hopefully, catch it early enough to intervene.�� Talk with Kids is also a great site to get help about topics that your children may have questions about.� It shows you how to�capitalize on�everyday situations to begin discussions about drugs, alcohol and sex.� Keeping your child busy with daily activities, chores, and responsibilities around the house will help steer your child toward more positive activities.���

Some children are now starting to smoke bidis (pronounced bee-dees).� These are cigarettes, manufactured in India and Southeast Asia,�that are especially appealing to younger children because of pleasant flavors like mango, mint, cherry, and pina�colada.� Their effects can be worse than regular cigarettes because they are unfiltered.� The Centers for Disease Control have an interactive model �that shows the effects of smoking of different parts of the body.��� It also provides several resources for people who are trying to quit. The Mind, Body, Soul website offers a game that is better suited to younger children ages 5 to 7 for showing the effects of smoking.�� The Truth website, has a wonderful interactive program to help you learn about smoking in a non-threatening fashion.� It is packed with lots of interesting facts and links to actual documents.��

Although Marijuana is touted to be a safe drug because it is 'natural', it is anything but safe.� Marijuana has been shown to affect short term memory, and can trigger schizophrenia, depression and suicidal thoughts.��� People are also lacing various drugs with additives that are toxic to the human body.� Some of these have been rat poison and bleach.� Studies are also finding that girls are beginning to catch up to boys in the use of drugs.��The effects of drug use are long lasting and debillitating.� Talk to your children about the effects, take them to a narcotics anonymous meeting (after getting permission) or organize a talk for your school, church, or teen center.� Again, talking to your child often will help you notice any signs that�they might be abusing drugs.

Television is exposing our kids to sex and sexual images on a daily basis.� It is no wonder that children as young as 6 years old have ideas and information about sex that most adults are not even aware of.� Talk to your children about the psychological and emotional impact of sexual intercourse.��Talk about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) so that they are aware that, while we are all concerned about getting AIDS, the other diseases can be just as deadly.

The more we talk to our children about these issues, the less likely they are to get into trouble.� Keep involved in their lives and you are sure to raise children who are healthy and happy.