Deborah Edell Eckert, MSW, LISW, LICDC

Teenage Drug Abuse, Early Intervention

Teenage Drug Abuse, Early Education Leads to Prevention

Many parents worry that their children will one day use drugs. Oftentimes, they believe that luck will determine if their children will or will not use drugs. This is not true. Parents have more influence than they realize over whether or not their kids will use drugs.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, children who learn about the risks of drug abuse from their parents or caregivers are 36% less likely to smoke marijuana, 50% less likely to use inhalants, and 56% less likely to use cocaine. Parents may be cautious about not pestering their children. Educating your children about drugs and alcohol is not pestering, it is parenting. There may be some confusion about the timing or the appropriate age to introduce the topic of drugs and abuse. As early as elementary school it is important to begin talking to your children about substance abuse, including tobacco. One discussion is not sufficient. Ongoing discussion from elementary school all the way up to high school graduation and beyond is optimal. It is important to remember that parents are a child’s most important role model. A parent’s own use of tobacco, drugs and alcohol will not go unnoticed.

It is true that children want their families to be proud of them. Parents need to send a clear message to their children that “no drug use” is the expectation. Children need to be educated about the facts. For example, the physical effects of inhalants can include hearing loss, central nervous system damage, brain damage, liver and kidney damage. Alcohol is the leading cause of depression. Heavy drinking can increase risk of heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and many other medical problems including cirrhosis of the liver. Over 150 medications interact harmfully with alcohol. These are not the things that they are hearing from their peer group.

Talking alone is not enough. Be involved with your children’s lives. Praise good behavior and let your children know how much they are loved and valued. Set limits with clear rules and consequences. Know what your children are doing, get to know their friends and be aware of how they are spending their time. Even if your children do not like you keeping close tabs on their activities, do it anyway. It is merely good parenting.

Know that children are mostly likely to be tempted to use drugs and alcohol when they are not feeling good about themselves. Be alert to how your children are feeling and keep communication lines open at all times. If you should notice any changes in your child’s behavior, choice of friends or a downward trend in their grades it is time to take action. Question your children about what is going on. Talk to their school counselor and other adults who have contact with them such as a youth group leader or soccer coach. If a drug problem is established, get professional help as soon as possible. Call me, I can help. 

Deborah Edell Eckert, MSW, LISW, LICDC
9122 Montgomery Road, Suite 12
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(513) 678-0510
[ View a Map ]