Parents Successfully Talk to Middle School Kids About Drug And Alcohol Use
When is the best time to ask kids about drug and alcohol use? It’s a common question among parents who want to have the most impact on affecting their child’s choices. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s new nationwide parent movement Time To Talk™, the best time is middle school.
“You may think your son or daughter is still too young, but middle school marks one of the most significant transitions in children’s lives and the first time they may be exposed to alcohol, inhalants and drug abuse in a meaningful way,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. “Children tend to aspire upwards - 5th graders want to emulate the behaviors of 7th or 8th graders and so on, right up through high school. For this reason, parents need to start talking with their children early, as they enter middle school, and keep the conversation going as they head off to college. We want to help parents understand they are one of the most influential voices in the lives of their children. Time To Talk is the place where we will continue to provide easy tips, conversation starters and the personal connections parents say they need.”
Studies show that as early as 8th grade, kids have already been exposed to a number of substances including cigarettes, weed, alcohol and inhalants like cleaners. Some have seen their peers use common cough syrup to get loaded. In some areas of the country—both rural and urban—many middle school kids are also exposed to harder drugs like heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and prescription pills like Codeine and Vicodin. Some have tried them. When it comes to parental intervention, sooner is always better.
If you have a high schooler aged 15 or over and they have been using opiate-based drugs like prescription painkillers or heroin, then the time for talking is over. Action is necessary and prescription drug addiction treatment in the form of Subutex or Suboxone is the answer, allowing your child to avoid the stigma associated with drug addiction and remain in school. Under age 15? Find out what your kid is up to, what she’s thinking and know who she’s hanging out with. Problems that never start are far easier to solve.
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