During the early teen years, fitting in with friends is a controlling influence; this often means letting go of old friendships or ties with teachers and other adults. Young people at this age begin to deal with abstractions and the future, understanding that their actions have consequences and knowing how their behavior affects others. They sometimes have a shaky self-image and are often in conflict with adults. Young people use drugs because their friends use drugs.
What You Can Do
- Continue to practice ways to say no with your child. Teach your child to recognize problem situations, such as being at a house where no adults are present and their peers are smoking or drinking beer.
- Children this age are very concerned with how others see them and may be easily be influenced by their peers. Discuss ways your child can socialize with peers in safe and positive ways.
- Your child’s fears about emerging sexuality, appearing different from friends and going on to high school are all real problems and deserve your concern and attention.
- Periodically review house rules and consequences if they are not in compliance.
- Plan supervised parties or other activities with your child in your home which reflect a no-alcohol / no-drug-use rule.Monitor your child’s whereabouts by communicating with other parents and asking for detailed answers.
By the end of 9th grade your child should know:
- The characteristics and chemical nature of specific drugs and drug interactions
- The physiology of drug effects on the circulatory, respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems
- The stages of chemical dependency and their unpredictability from person to person
- The ways that drug use affects activities requiring motor coordination such as driving a car or participating in sports
- Family history, particularly if alcoholism or drug addiction has been a problem