PARENTS: YOU MATTER !

1. PARENTS: YOU MATTER! Drugs/Alcohol, Your Teen and YOU

2. video title goes here THE HEIRD FAMILY

3. video title goes here THE HEIRD FAMILY *

4. PARENTS • Moms and dads • Grandparents • Aunts and uncles • Close family friends • Mentors • Other caregivers The presence of a caring adult in a child’s life

5. Today’s Presentation • Why YOU matter • Why DO kids use drugs/alcohol? • What YOU can do • Communicate – 4 Tips to Help • Monitor – 6 Tips to Help • How to spot drug/alcohol use • What to do if you spot drug/alcohol use

6. Why YOU matter You matter because you can help your child avoid getting involved in drugs/alcohol Kids who learn about the danger of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to use You matter because you can help your child get help if they need it 2 million teens need treatment, most don’t get it Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2008; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The NSDUH Report, 2006

7. - But - 9 out of 10 people with a drug/alcohol problem started using as a teen… … a child who gets through her/his teen years without abusing drugs or alcohol is highly unlikely to develop a problem as an adult

8. Why DO kids use drugs/alcohol?

9. Many Factors • There are many factors that affect a kid’s decision whether or not to use … • Today, we’ll focus on the most important factors by looking at what’s going on … • In their mind • In their world • And look at the special vulnerabilities some kids face

10. In their minds ... • Perception of risk “How dangerous are drugs & alcohol?”

11. In their minds ... • What will people think? (Social disapproval) “What will my friends & family say?”

12. In their minds ... • Cope with problems “I can’t deal with this anymore …”

13. In their minds ... • Have a good time / try something new “I’ve never tried that before!”

14. In their minds … When is the human brain fully developed?

15. video title goes here DR. KEN WINTERS – TEEN BRAIN

16. video title goes here DR. KEN WINTERS – TEEN BRAIN *

17. In their minds … The human brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s Judgment develops last

18. www.drugfree.org/teenbrain

19. In their world … • Stress from school • Relationships • Friends • Romantic • Family pressures & problems • Transitions & fitting in • Independence (Cars) • Availability of drugs and alcohol

20. National Drug & Alcohol Scene • In the past 30 days: • 24 percent of 12th graders have used an illicit drug – more than one-third of whom used an illicit drug other than marijuana • 27 percent report being drunk • 25 percent of 12th graders report having five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future, 2009

21. National Drug & Alcohol Scene Alcohol Marijuana Rx Drugs Inhalants Ecstasy Cough Medicine Cocaine/Crack LSD Meth Heroin Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2009

22. According to the 2012 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment: Youth reported having drank alcohol 6th grade – 28% 8th grade – 51% 10th grade – 67% 12th grade – 75% 30% of 12th graders reported having binge drank in last 2 weeks (5 or more drinks in a row) Oklahoma’s Underage Drinking Problem:

23. Special Vulnerabilities • Family history -- predisposition to drug or alcohol problems • Close friends who use drugs or alcohol • Early first use • Diagnosed or undiagnosed depression / other mental health disorders • Problems in school / learning disabilities

24. What You Can Do • You can help your child avoid the problem (prevention) • You can help your child address the problem (how to spot drug/alcohol use & what to do when you find it)

25. video title goes here YOU ARE ABLE

26. video title goes here YOU ARE ABLE *

27. What You Can Do • You can help your child avoid the problem (prevention)

28. Learn • Learn the facts about drug/alcohol • Be aware of what’s going on in your community • Not the same world you grew up in

29. video title goes here THE TALK

30. video title goes here THE TALK *

31. You do matter … Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likelyto use drugs and According to an MTV survey, almost halfof all kids name a parent as their hero. Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2008; Associated Press / MTV Youth Happiness Study, 2007

32. Communicate – 4 Tips to Help Clearly communicate the risks of drug/alcohol use Let your kids know you disapprove of any drug/alcohol use – teens in grades 9-12 who believe their parents will be upset if they try marijuanaare 47% less likely to do so Use “teachable moments” to raise drug/alcohol issues. Frequently talk AND LISTENto your kids about how things are going in their lives Even if you used in the past, don’t be afraid to talk! Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2009

33. Monitor – 6 Tips to Help Know who your child is with Know what they’re doing Know where your child will be Know when your child is expected home Know who your teen’s friends are – communicate with their parents Establish and enforce rules – including a clear “no use” policy.

34. video title goes here SANDY -- MONITORING

35. video title goes here SANDY -- MONITORING *

36. What You Can Do • You can help your child address the problem (how to spot drug/alcohol use & what to do when you find it)

37. How To Spot Drug/Alcohol Use • Here are 5 changes to watch for… • Declining school work and grades • Abrupt changes in friends, groups / behavior • Sleeping habits/abnormal health issues • Deteriorating relationships with family • Less openness and honesty • Be aware of special vulnerabilities

38. video title goes here KENNY

39. video title goes here KENNY *

40. What to Do When You Spot Drug/Alcohol Use 5 ways to take action • Focus - You can do this • Don’t panic, but act right away • Start talking • Let your child know you are concerned - communicate your disapproval • Set limits – set rules and consequences • Monitor – Look for evidence, make lists, keep track • Get outside/professional help – you don’t have to do this alone

41. video title goes here THREE MOMS – ACT SOONER

42. video title goes here THREE MOMS – ACT SOONER *

43. Talk to Your Kids • Communication with your kids makes a difference • The wreckED DVD provides a “teachable moment” to start / continue your conversation • wreckEDis a 10-minute, teen-focused video featuring teens talking about some of the consequences they faced because of their drinking and drug use

44. Watch wreckED

46. Planning your conversation • Who will be present? • Both parents/guardians? • If you have more than one child, will they watch & discuss together or separately? • When will you talk? • Avoid distractions • Where will you talk? • What issues do you want to address?

47. Key Discussion Points • Using alcohol or other drugs is not healthy for your teen, and – because you love them and care about them – it is a family rule that they cannot use alcohol or other drugs. • If they are ever in a situation in which they are uncomfortable or need help, they can call you. • Reassure them that you will always be there and work together to find a solution that works your family.

48. Connect with other Parents • Create a parenting network, starting with the parents of your kids’ friends • Share experiences & concerns • Substance abuse can’t be a taboo subject

49. Why Connect? • Arrange plans/pick-ups • Share tips about programs & services • “Compare notes” • Respond to/prevent problems • Find your child after curfew • Informal way to get help

50. Next Steps • Use what you’ve learned today • Talk to your kids tonight • Spread the word about Parents: You Matter! • Communicate with other parents • Tell 3 friends tomorrow • Learn more!