Drug Abuse Prevention

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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Drug Abuse Prevention Starts in Pre-School

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 21st, 2010

Helping you child avoid the dangers of drug abuse is a most challenging task for many parents. Some believe that you must check your children starting on their pre-teens until they reach college. The truth is preparing your child against the temptation of peer pressure and drug abuse should start when he or she is still in his or her pre-school years. Here are simple ways you can start leading your child to the right direction.

preschoolerAllow your child to make small decisions. Let him choose what to wear or which little bag to use. This will enhance his decision-making skills.

Introduce him to healthy activities and healthy choices. Let him play around and remind him how healthy activities help improve the mind and body.

Allow your child to make mistakes and use these opportunities to help him understand the realities of life. Teach him the value of endurance, patience and determination.

Explain to your child how important it is to take care of one’s self. Do not simply force him to eat vegetables just because you say so. Make him choose between fresh orange juice and milk. Although both are good options, this will still provide him an opportunity to make healthy choices.

While fairy tales may sometimes be helpful, always make sure your child is fully aware of the differences between real life and what he sees on television, especially if violence is involved. Be with him when he watches TV shows and be ready to explain certain scenes that may be misinterpreted by a child.

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Healthy Activities that Help Fight Teen Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 5th, 2010

Drug abuse and alcoholism among teens usually take the free time after school or on weekends. A good way of helping teens keep away from temptation is to give them healthy extracurricular activities that they can get busy with. Here are some suggestions:

Sports

Playing sports is a great way to channel youthful energies through a productive outlet. It is an effective socializing tool that helps the teen to identify himself or herself with his or her peers. This aids the teen with problems of self-esteem, honesty, commitment and focus.

teen playing pianoSkills and Talents

If your child is a musician, artist or dancer then invest in classes or anything that can help the teen enhance his natural skills. These classes will not only keep teens away from drugs, but it will also hone his or her craft. These classes will help the teen with concentration and discipline — values that are strong weapons against drug abuse.

Hobbies

Take time to get to know the hobbies of your child and try your best to support it. Studies have shown that video gaming is quite helpful when taken responsibly, plus it is a great way to keep your child in the house where he/she can be monitored. This will give you an excuse to encourage your child to invite his or her friends over so that you might get to know your child’s friends personally.

Family Bonding

Perhaps the most important of all preventive measures is to get to know your child intimately. Establishing good communication is crucial. Family activities such as fishing or going to the movies are great opportunities to establish a trust-based relationship with your child which will help with the teen’s road to maturity.

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