A Parent's Guide to Prevention  Preschool – Grade 12

Child-rearing is one of the most important tasks anyone ever performs and the one for which there is the least preparation.  Today, the wide-spread use of alcohol and other drugs subject our children, families and communities to pressures unheard of 40 or 50 years ago.

Locally and nationally, we are making progress in the battle against some drugs; but as parents, we can build on that progress in our own families by having strong, loving relationships with our children, by teaching standards of right and wrong, by setting and enforcing rules for behavior, by knowing the facts about alcohol and other drugs and by really listening to our children.

At a minimum, you should….

...Know the different types of drugs and alcohol most commonly used and and the
   dangers associated with each
...Be able to identify paraphernalia associated with each drug
...Be familiar with the street names of drugs
...Know what drugs look like
...Know the signs of alcohol and other drug use and be alert for changes in your
   child’s behavior or appearance
...Know how to help promptly if you suspect your child may be using alcohol and other drugs
...Know your family’s history of alcoholism or drug abuse