• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Parenting advice for talking to your kids about drugs

January 19, 2010 by John Thompson 2 Comments

After years of declines in the number of teens using drugs and alcohol, a recent study has provided what officials are calling a "warning sign" regarding attitudes and behaviors about substance abuse.

The government’s annual Monitoring the Future survey of about 46,000 teens found that about one-third of high school seniors, a quarter of high school sophomores and about one in eight eighth graders had used marijuana in the past year. Alcohol use remains high as well with 43 percent of twelfth graders, 29 percent of tenth graders and 16 percent of eighth graders reporting they drank in the past month.

Parenting experts say dads and moms should talk early and often about the dangers of drugs and alcohol with their kids. If you create an environment where your children feel comfortable talking with you about dangerous things, they’ll do so and you’ll have more opportunities to explain how harmful these behaviors can be.

Teaching kids how to deal with peer pressure is important as well. Role-playing what to do and say if he or she is offered drugs or alcohol may be helpful.ADNFCR-1662-ID-19538792-ADNFCR

Filed Under: Dad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. cathy says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great advice. One talking point that a parent who has been down the road of kids and drugs offered me is to be honest about that fact that drugs can make you feel good, but be sure to counter that with the reality that the long term consequences of taking drugs are disastrous. I think that a brutally honest and constant conversation about the reality of drugs and how to not cave to the pressure to do drugs is so important.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Candice says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America shows that kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use. The Partnership’s “Time To Talk” is an online resource for parents that provides free, easy-to-use, research-based tools and tips to help start the conversation with their kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol and keep it going over the long haul. Visit timetotalk.org for more tools and talk tips.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad