Among High School Seniors, Driving After Marijuana Use Surpasses Drunk Driving | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Among High School Seniors, Driving After Marijuana Use Surpasses Drunk Driving | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

CHEERS!

Dear Parents and Other Adults,

Holidays are a time for celebration.  It is also a time when we forgo some of our boundaries and throw caution to the wind.  As adults, we sometimes need to be reminded all eyes are on us.  Parents are the best role models for their kids (even when their kids are almost all grown up).

Here are a few tips for how you can help keep youth safe around the holidays:

1. Lock it up! Please be sure to lock up medication and alcohol.  Prescription drug use among teens is on the rise.  You may believe your kids or their friends would never abuse prescription drugs, and maybe you are right. Better safe than sorry. 
2. Supervision is key.  Of course you want to show your teen you trust his/her judgment, but they are still young and need guidance.  Do not leave alcohol or medications accessible in the home if you are hosting a party.  Most teens are glad their parents care enough to watch out for them, even if they do complain about it at the time.
3. Set clear rules and boundaries.  Around the holidays it is easy to relax our rules and expectations.  This maybe the time they need rules most.  Be clear in what you expect, what the consequences will be for any missteps, and why the rules are in place.  Let your teen know you care about them and the rules are to protect them.
4. Don't let your own values, boundaries or standards slide.  The choices you make  to do things you maybe wouldn't normally do set an example for your kids.  If you don't adhere to your own expectations for yourself around the holidays, why should your teen?  Having an extra drink, partying more often, and other changes in your behavior lead to your teens perception that it is "OK" to be wild and crazy around the holidays. 
5. Talk to your teen about fake ID's.  Talk to your teen about fake ID's.  Carrying a fake ID is illegal and can be dangerous if an accident were to occur.  It is hard to help a teen in trouble if authorities don't know their true identity. 
6. Don't drive intoxicated.  Talk to them about not getting into a car with someone who has been drinking or using other drugs.  Your child may not partake in drinking, but may not understand the consequences of getting in the car with someone else who has been drinking (INCLUDING YOURSELF).   Do not drive your children around if you have been drinking.  One drink is too much to drive.
7. Buckle up.   Many fatal accidents happen due to lack of seat belts.  Remember to buckle up.
8. Do not serve alcohol to your teens!  The younger a youth tastes alcohol, the higher the chance for addiction during their lifetime.  A youth who drinks alcohol before the age of 15 increases their chances of forming an addiction by 4x.  This increases if there is a family history of alcoholism or addiction.  Teens have developing brains and alcohol can impact how the brain develops. 
9. Help your teen learn refusal skills.  Teach them effective ways to refuse to partake in high risk activities.  Demonstrate these skills by using them yourself.  Let them know it is ok to say "no" or to walk away from a situation that is uncomfortable.

 

Have a safe holiday!