Drug Abuse Prevention

Developing a Steady EQ for Healthy, Drug-Free Kids

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on March 8th, 2010

Many parents commit the fault of disregarding the importance of developing the Emotional Quotient (EQ) of a child. As much as the IQ (Intelligence Quotient) of a child is crucial to his future, so is the development of a good EQ.

EQWhat is EQ?

EQ is the kind of intelligence that teaches the child to handle his society and its many pressures. Most children with low EQ grow up to be unable to handle stressful situations and decisions and often end up being immature and unwise. People with low EQ may react to pressures met during adolescence or during adulthood with aggression or extreme passivity, with peer dependence or social withdrawal, with drug abuse or with early sexual encounters.

Who teaches EQ?

Developing the child’s EQ relies heavily on the parents, or those who have direct interactions with the child. A child, even during his early years, learns from their principle teachers – parents or guardians –by observation and practice. It is common for a child to imitate what the parents or guardians do. When a child is learning only how to speak, they often pick up the words by association. To introduce certain objects to the child, parents often repeatedly refer to day to day objects; calling it out to them by name. In the same way, a child develops his personality on the basis of his direct environment.

Methods of Developing EQ

There is a time in the life of a child that everything that a parent says becomes truth for him or her. Children learn from the parents, that is why it is important for adults to be a good example. There are numerous EQ developing techniques out there that can be utilized, but there is no one method that works for every child. It is up to the parents or guardians to apply what is best for their child.

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Common Secret Hiding Places of Drugs

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 3rd, 2010

Drug paraphernalia can be difficult to detect. Nowadays, technology has successfully developed several ways to disguise these tools as just like everyday things. You must educate yourself with drug paraphernalia and how drugs look like to be sure that you don’t confuse drugs with harmless things and end up hurting your child because of wrong accusations.

As a parent, we cannot help but be on alert when there are indications that our child might be using abusive substances such as drugs and alcohol. It is the role of the parent to ensure our children’s safety and sometimes asking them up front just isn’t enough. That’s when we have to “get our hands dirty”.

hidden drugsYou walk in to your teen’s room and want do a search for substances. Where do you look first? You can start by checking his bags, his clothes, on his table, on and under his bed and on the floor. However, remember this: things aren’t always the way they seem. Be wary of everyday tools that seem out of place. Check his table, top of his cabinet, anywhere that things can be placed inconspicuously. You should expect that your teen will make it very hard for you to locate his secret stash. Go through the simplest things and check. There are known pipes for marijuana that is cleverly disguised as lipsticks and markers, so also be creative in your search.

Marijuana, crack and other drugs are usually hidden in places where our child would expect us never to be able to find. Look through shoes and their clothes cabinet. Marijuana is usually kept in small plastic bags which can be easily hidden away inside a shoe or in a suspicious hole in the house.

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Teen Dating Risks Parents Need to Know

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 26th, 2010

Dating has gone a really long way. From candle-lit dinners, ballroom dancing to club raves and rock concerts, the dating game has definitely changed and evolved. Here are examples of teen dating risks parents should be careful about.

teen datingGroup Dates = Stronger Peer Pressure

Dating in groups has become common these days. Although the groups themselves do not pose any trouble whatsoever, but peer pressure can be much more potent when done in groups. In these group dates, teens may be pressured to explore forbidden things like alcohol, drugs or sex. Also, teens are more courageous to try out things when with friends. It is important for the parent to take action by speaking up and talking to their teen about these issues.

Afternoon Sex Dates

Studies have showed that dating teens usually have sexual intercourse in the afternoons between 3:00PM to 6:00 PM, when their parents are still at work. They usually like to sneak around when there is lesser school or parental supervision. The best way to prevent this is to always monitor your house. Try asking your neighbors to check on your house or try changing your own schedules every now and then, if possible. Also, always remind your teen about the realities and risks of early sexual intercourse and teenage pregnancy.

Date Rape Drugs

Inform your teens with the risks of date-rape drugs. These drugs are usually mixed with the alcoholic drinks during parties when the victim is unaware. To be safe, always be with somebody you trust. Make sure you never go out to a party alone and vulnerable, and do not accept drinks from strangers.

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Teen Suicide: Dangerous Signs to Look Out For

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 25th, 2010

The issues surrounding teen suicides are very complex. Suicide is rare among the early youth and steadily grows as they go into their adolescence. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the third-leading cause of death for those 15- to 24 years of age is suicide, surpassed only by homicide and accidents. It is the eighth leading cause of death for people all over the world.
depression

Teens, male or female, are at risk of suicide, although boys are more likely to commit suicide than girls. Although this is a very tragic and shocking fact, there is a way for parents to prevent this from ever happening. Parents should be wary of depression, because they are almost always connected with thoughts of death.

Here is a list of warning signs that parents should look out for:

•    Troubled romantic relationships
•    Difficulty in maintaining relationships with others
•    Lowered grades and output in school
•    Rebellious and devious behavior
•    Pulling away from friends and family members
•    Drawing, writing or talking (even jokingly) about death
•    Dramatic changes in personality
•    Appearance change
•    Sleep deprivation
•    Alcohol or drug use
•    Having a history of suicidal nature

If you notice that a teen is depressed, do not feel intimidated. Talk to him or her. Reassurance of love and trust is a powerful tool against the feeling of solitude and depression. Always remember to listen and to not judge. Never dismiss your teen’s concerns as something insignificant. If you suspect that your teen is suicidal, then you should seek professional help right away. Ask your doctor for treatment programs available. Suicidal thoughts or inclinations are a medical emergency and toodangerous to ignore.

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Common Questions Teens Ask About Alcohol

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse Prevention on February 23rd, 2010

Question: Is it really cool to drink alcohol?
Answer: Some people think it is because they thought everyone is doing it and so you need to do it as well to fit in. The truth is only less than a thrid of the teenage population do drink. This means that if we consider the choice of the majority, it is much more cooler not to drink.

alcoholQuestion: Does alcohol boost energy?
Answer: No. It is a depressant, so it naturally slows down your system and often makes you sleepy. That is why it is never safe to drink and drive. A driver’s skills are affected by the intake of alcohol.

Question: Does drinking alcohol improve sex?
Answer: The only thing that alcohol can do in relation to social situations is that it reduces inhibitions. This may make you try more interesting things while under the influence of alcohol. This does not mean, though, that sex becomes better. In reality, alcohol makes it difficult for the guys to have and keep an erection while it lowers sex drive for girls. Also, alcohol may make you forget to use a condom or influence you to proceed with sex wthout protection. This, of course, carries consequences like early pregnancy and contracting STDs.

Question: How can alcohol harm one’s body?
Answer: Significant alcohol intake may disturb sleep, thereby depriving your body of the sleep it needs to rejuvenate and recharge. Alcohol also causes nausea and vomiting. Serious diseases caused by too much drinking are cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer; pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart attacks; osteoporosis (loss of bone mass); and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (brain disorder) among others.

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Drug Abuse Prevention During Grade School Years

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 22nd, 2010

While the process of helping your kids avoid drug abuse starts in preschool, you need to make sure you continually make them aware of the benefits of healthy choices as they grow during their grade school years. Here are some tips to help you sail through this stage.

grade school kidsAlways remain realistic. While you may want to emphasize to your kids the dangers of drug abuse, do not overdo it. Telling them scary stories that sound out of this world would not help. Give them examples they can understand. Tell them, for instance, that alcohol abuse may make them feel sick or that cigarette use may cause bad breath. These are simple, but very real, examples.

Discuss drug-related ads, scenes and events that your children may see on TV. Make sure they understand the messages clearly and that everything they find difficult to understand are explained immediately.

Encourage your kids to speak their minds. Tell them that it’s alright to share what they think or to say no when they don’t like something. Many teens grow up with a difficulty to say no or to disappoint other people. Always ensure your children that expressing themselves is perfectly fine.

Set a good example. Most kids do what their role models – parents, teachers, older siblings, older neighbors – do. Make sure you set the right example. Do not smoke, drink or abuse drugs so your children don’t grow up thinking these activities are alright.

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