It
is possible that at some
stage your child will be
offered drugs. The
decision as to whether or not your son or
daughter uses the drug
can be influenced by
you. It should be
understood that even
perfect parenting does
not necessarily
guarantee that young
people will not
experiment with drugs.
Creating a supportive
environment certainly
helps. By giving your
children accurate
information about drugs
they will be in a better
position to make
decisions. Usually young
people receive most of
their information about
drugs from their friends
and this information is
very often wrong, so it
is important that you
make the correct
information available.
Usually
young people receive
most of their
information about
drugs from their
friends and this
information is very
often wrong.
Growing
through the teenage
years is a time of
uncertainty. We all make
mistakes and this is a
part of growing up. If
your child makes a
mistake, don't dwell on
it. It is vital to keep
open communication
during this awkward
stage. You may not be
able to prevent your
child from
experimentation, but if
the family offers good
values and support, the
chances are that he or
she will see that drugs
are not an attractive
alternative. Young
people are easily able
to tell if you are being
hypocritical, so if you
abuse alcohol and smoke
cigarettes it's pretty
hard to 'lecture' them
about drug abuse.
If
you think that your
child might be using
drugs it is important
not to panic. Stay calm
and discuss the matter
at a time when there is
no fight. Listen without
being judge-mental when
your daughter or son is
talking to you. Talk
about drugs and other
issues in a relaxed and
open manner. Listen to
what the young person is
saying and if it causes
you concern, express
this honestly and
without angry drama or
tearful emotion.
Explain
what it is that concerns
you and why you are
worried. Negotiate and
listen to your daughter
or son when setting
guidelines on behaviour.
By having input into
these guidelines the
young person is more
likely to stick to them.
Keep your word. If your
child steps outside
agreed limits and you
have told them the
consequences for doing
so, make sure that
action is carried out.
Try
to be understanding. For
example, teenagers have
a need for privacy and
if you 'search their
room' for evidence of
drugs then the issue
will not be drugs but
invasion of privacy ..."You
searched my room!"
Rather than alienating
them in such a
situation, it may be
wiser to raise the
subject of drug usage at
an appropriate time.
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