Growing Up Drug Free:
A Parent's Guide to Prevention
Chapter 4: Your Child's Perspective
Why a child uses drugs
Understandably, some parents of drug users think that their child might have
been pressured into taking drugs by peers or drug dealers. But children say they
choose to use drugs because they want to:
- relieve boredom
- feel good
- forget their troubles and relax
- have fun
- satisfy their curiosity
- take risks
- ease their pain
- feel grown-up
- show their independence
- belong to a specific group
- look cool.
Rather than being influenced by new friends whose habits they adopt, children
and teens often switch peer groups so they can hang around with others who have
made the same lifestyle choices.
Parents know their children best and are therefore in the best position to
suggest healthy alternatives to doing drugs. Sports, clubs, music lessons,
community service projects, and after-school activities not only keep children
and teens active and interested, but also bring them closer to parents who can
attend games and performances. To develop a positive sense of independence, you
could encourage babysitting or tutoring. For a taste of risk-taking, suggest
rock-climbing, karate, or camping.
What our culture tells children about drugs
Unfortunately, the fashions and fads that thrive in our culture are sometimes
the ones with the most shock value. Children today are surrounded by subtle and
overt messages telling them what is "good" about alcohol, tobacco, and
drugs. Your children may see TV characters living in wealth and splendor off
drug money, may stumble onto a website urging legalization of marijuana, may see
their favorite movie stars smoking in their latest films, or may hear songs
describing the thrill of making love while high.
To combat these impressions, put your television and computer in a communal
area so you can keep tabs on what your children are seeing. Sit down with them
when they watch TV. Explore the Internet with them to get a feel for what they
like. Anything disturbing can be turned into a "teachable moment." You
may want to set guidelines for which TV shows, films, and websites are
appropriate for your child. (You also may want to reassure children that the
world is not as bleak as it appears in the news, which focuses heavily on
society's problems.)
In the same way, familiarize yourself with your children's favorite radio
stations, CDs, and tapes. According to a recent survey, most teenagers consider
listening to music their favorite non-school activity and, on average, devote
three to four hours to it every day. Since many of the songs they hear make drug
use sound inviting and free of consequences, you'll want to combat this
impression with your own clear position.
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Source: US Department of Education - 1998
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Additional Information
Alcohol
and Teens
Alcohol
and Families
Alcohol
Teen
Talk
Adolescent
Substance
Abuse
Marijuana
Fostering
Responsibility
Inhalant
Abuse
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