Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

Modern-day teenagers are getting smarter about drugs and alcohol. Since its peak in the 1970s, teen consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs has consistently been on the decline, hitting record lows in 2015. Even though the numbers are trending in the right direction, the next generation is beginning high school. Because of this, it’s a good time to look at some effective ways to reduce the chances of your teen drinking or experimenting with drugs.

Set Them Up for Success

Setting up your teen for success at an early age yields positive results later in life. So, what actions should be taken to do this? What can you do to set them up for success? Here are some tips to ensure you are preparing your teen for when the question of drugs or alcohol arises:

• Model good behavior: Show your children how to lead healthy lives by leading one yourself. Stay away from abusing drugs and drink alcohol only in moderation. Leading by example proves to your teen that a successful life is one that is lived without illicit drugs and with responsible alcohol consumption.
• Give them a place to vent: Give your teen options for talking or getting out frustrations when life gets difficult. Stressed teens may feel like they have no release, so they turn to drugs or alcohol. Combat this by allowing “no judgement” talks. A no-judgement talk means your teen can talk to you freely about their thoughts and feelings without fear of repercussions. This promotes an understanding between parent and child and allows valuable insight into your child’s life.
• Show them alternate ways to have fun: Going out and participating in healthy activities with your teen shows them that fun doesn’t need to involve drugs and alcohol. Try playing a sport like bowling or shooting hoops to keep them active. Go camping or start a construction project to engage their brain.

Get Them Involved

Kids are more likely to turn to drugs when they’re bored. Keeping teenagers busy allows them to put their minds toward something they care about and away from drugs. Find ways to keep them involved both inside and outside of school. Encourage them to join a sports team, volunteer in the community, join a church youth group or start a hobby. This works by not only giving them something to occupy their time but also holding them accountable to other people. Being involved shows them that if they get busted for drugs or underage drinking, they aren’t only letting themselves down but are letting down other people as well.

Educate Them on Drugs Early and Properly

Remember when you were a teenager and your parents told you something you knew was obviously false? Remember how it made you feel and what you did about it? Things haven’t changed. With the access to information teens have nowadays, there is no reason to lie about what drugs are and what they do. Use this glut of information to your advantage by discussing drugs early and presenting factual information. Being transparent about drugs shows that you trust your child to make responsible decisions about drugs.

Monitor Prescriptions

Prescription drugs have overtaken illicit drugs as the most abused among young people. There is nothing wrong with prescribing medicine to teenagers, but when prescriptions are abused or sold then something that is intended to bring help ends up causing harm. If your child has a prescription it’s important to monitor how it’s being used. Are the pills being used more quickly than they should be? Are they being taken at times they shouldn’t be? Are the desired effects not being achieved? These questions can help determine if prescriptions are being used correctly.

Enroll in a Drug Awareness Program

If you aren’t comfortable with formally presenting drug information to your teen yourself, then let the professionals do it for you. Enroll in a drug awareness program with your child. These programs are created to present awareness and prevention in a fun and interesting manner for both parents and teenagers. If you can’t find an outside class, talk to your child’s school about their drug programs and research how the school is presenting drug information to its students.

The common thread in these tips is a healthy parent-child relationship. When parents take an active role in their children’s lives it shows the child they’re loved and cared for, and kids will take the consequences of doing drugs more seriously. It’s never too late to start a healthy relationship with your child and the sooner you do that, the more confidence you’ll have in them to make the right decision when it comes to drugs.