What you can do to prevent child drug abuse

The risk of drug abuse and addiction is a fear of many parents. Many young lives are lost to drugs every year. Drug addicts lose their ability to contribute to society and suffer many health consequences, including a weakened immune system and brain damage.  Like our mantra goes, prevention is the best form of treatment.

While there is no specific way to absolutely assure you that your child will not use drugs, these tips will help you greatly reduce the chances of your child’s involvement in this vice:

1. Communication is your best defense against teenage drug abuse. Talk to your children about drugs first, instead of friends or the media. This helps to shape their first impression of drug use. When you do, give them the whole picture. Tell them about drug abuse, its effects, and why it is dangerous.
2. Help them make good friends. Observe your child’s friends to ensure that their friends have the kind of values you want your child to imbibe. Not knowing your children’s friends is a risk factor for drug abuse and other unwanted behavior.
3. Instill the confidence to say NO to negative influence. Peer pressure exists at all ages; however teenagers are especially vulnerable. Teach them that real strength is in knowing who they are and being able to say no and walk away when something does not fit who they are.

It is important to know that as a parent, you have the most influence over your child and have the power to steer your child in the right direction.