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PREVENTION TIPS FOR
PARENTS
1.
Educate yourself about alcohol and
other drugs. Call the Prevention Office
(1-410-758-1306) for free parent prevention guides. They also have
free informational brochures and a video loan program. A staff
member will be happy to recommend the best resource for your needs.
2.
Talk with your
child about alcohol and other drugs.
Open a question and answer session. Discuss the myths and the facts.
Explain the harmful effects. Choose a time when your child is open
to learning.
3.
Be a good listener.
Help your child feel comfortable and safe about asking you questions
or talking over concerns with you. Pay full attention and don't
allow your anger to end the conversation. If your child is not
starting conversations with you, take the initiative and ask about
school or friends.
4.
Set strong no use
rules to protect the well being of your child.
Remember, you are the authority. Make sure your child knows that
alcohol or other drug use is strictly forbidden. Don't hesitate to
protect your child by enforcing the rules.
5.
Be a good role
model. If
you expect your child to grow up drug free and to be a responsible
drinker as an adult, then teach them by example. Children copy their
parent's behavior.
6.
Help your child
deal with peer pressure.
A good way to do this is by play acting or "role playing" situations
where they are pressured by their friends to use drugs. Help them
practice how to say "no" and mean it.
7.
Communicate values
openly.
Talk with your child about the importance of honesty,
responsibility, trust and other values. Help them to understand that
strong values will lead to good decisions.
8.
Support healthy
activities.
Allow your child to attend recreational or social activities that
are alcohol and drug free. Encourage them to be creative with their
free time. Keg parties should be off limits even if a parent is
supervising. The fact is: It is illegal for people under 21 years
old to drink alcohol in Maryland.
9.
Get Involved.
Join with other parents to prevent alcohol and illegal drug use in
your neighborhood. There is definitely power in numbers. Invite your
children to get involved too. Take the time to get to know your
children's friend and their parents.
10.
Know where to get
help in case your child needs it.
If you suspect a problem, know ahead of time where to get help and
don't hesitate to talk to an expert.
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