Rutland Area Prevention Coalition

Mobilizing the community in the prevention of substance abuse

through education and promotion of healthy lifestyle choices.

Substance Abuse Prevention


Tips for Parents: Preventing Substance Abuse

YOU are the first line of defense when it comes to helping your child stay free of drug and alcohol use. So how can you make a difference?

Talk to your child… Let them know the dangers of substance abuse and make it clear that you expect them to stay away from alcohol and drugs. Set the rules regarding substance abuse and enforce stated consequences. However, be sure to let them know that they can always talk to you if they have questions or are faced with a situation that they need help with.

Teach your child… You can teach your child to politely tell someone no to alcohol and drugs. Reassure them that it is okay to say that they are not allowed to use those substances and prepare them to handle peer pressure. Be sure to stress that if your child is faced with a situation that involves peer pressure, drugs, or alcohol, that they should leave and tell a trusted adult.

Know your child… Ask how things are going at school, with friends, and about plans for the future. Know where your child is and what they will be doing during unsupervised time.  Get to know your child’s friends and their parents and make sure you know their rules and standards.

Keep your child busy… Involve your child in healthy activities, especially between 3p.m. and 6p.m. and into evening hours, when children and teens are more likely to experiment with substance abuse. Kids who are involved in constructive, adult supervised activities are less likely to use drugs.

Be a good role model… Your kids look up to you and want to be like you. If you drink or abuse drugs, your children are likely to do so as well.

Accept the role of a parent as your major responsibility. Children do not need you to be their friend, let others be their friend. You be the parent!
Text Box: It’s ILLEGAL! Underage (under 21) drinking and substance abuse is not only bad for your health, but it carries severe legal penalties . You might end up paying fines, doing community service, or even find yourself in jail! Plus, your parents could be in big trouble too!

How Can I Tell If My Child  or Friend is Using Drugs?

Although mood and attitude changes are common in teens, some things to watch for include:
1. Changes in friends.

2. Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, discipline problems, or activity changes.

3. Increased secrecy about possessions or activities.

4. Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors.

5. Subtle changes in conversations with friends such as using secretive coded language.

6. Change in clothing choices, such as a new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use.

7. Evidence of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes or rolling papers.

8. Bottles of eye drops, used to mask blood shot eyes or dilated pupils.

9. Missing prescription drugs—especially narcotics and stabilizers.

Be a parent, be a friend, and seek professional help in dealing with this problem. You could save a life!
Text Box: What Is Addiction? Drug addiction is a disease. People who are addicted can’t stop using a drug even though it causes serious problems with family, friends, work, school, money, health, or the law. They have very strong urges to use the drug and most people need treatment to recover from addiction. Text Box: Did You Know? The damage from underage drinking may affect teens’ memory, cognitive abilities and their decision-making skills for the rest of their life.

Know Your Enemy...

Every year, drug and alcohol abuse costs over $245 billion, causes over half a million visits to emergency rooms, and kills thousands. In this country about 14.8 million people are current users of illicit drugs, and about 8.2 million people are dependent on alcohol. Being familiar with the names and effects of common drugs is a critical first step in preventing or reducing drug and alcohol abuse.