Teen Drug Use

Effective Ways to Discourage Teen Drug Use

Every generation of teens have exercised some form of rebellion against society, authority and parents. Rebellion is a natural stage of development as children move towards adulthood. It's a way to manifest their individualism, celebrate their generation and gain control of their own lives. In times past, such demonstrations of rebellion were more benign, entailing avant garde or more unusual tastes in fashion and hair.

Today, one of the main forms of rebellion involves the use of a number of dangerous drugs. Teen drug use has become so prevalent, recent statistics show that drugs and alcohol are commonly used by teens and even pre-teens. A recent study indicated that fully 44% of high schoolers had used drugs and alcohol within the past month, while a third of middle schoolers admitted to drug and alcohol use in the same time period. Such numbers meet the criteria of epidemic proportions.

Peer pressure and a lack of education on drugs contribute much to this sad commentary. These studies also indicated that teen drug use is often not discussed at home. Parents neglect the subject, thinking their kids won't fall into this trap. The consequences of teen drug use are simply too dangerous to ignore.

Nancy Reagan's "Just say no to drugs" campaign proved ineffective. There are two reasons. Adopting a goody two-shoes approach won't do the trick. Kids respond negatively, believing only prudish people who know nothing about drugs will make such a statement.

Does an obese person give up the foods that make them overweight because someone says, "Just say no ...?" This brings us to the second reason such a strategy proves ineffective, or worse, laughable. There is no incentive given to make teen drug use unattractive and dangerous.

When you sit down with your kids for a discussion on teen drug use, come equipped with some facts. If you do your homework, you can give kids reasons they can get behind, to stay away from drugs.

Methamphetamine use is a case in point. Battery acid is just one of dozens of poisons used in the manufacture of meth. List these poisonous substances and ask your kids if they want to put this in their body. Remember that teen drug use is not confined to a marginal percentage of teens. Cocaine, heroin and Ecstasy use should be covered as well.

Most kids will see the sense of not poisoning themselves. Don't neglect to mention the social effects ensuing from drug use. Meth addicts will do almost anything to maintain their habit, once hooked. Demonstrate that personal degradation and loss of integrity follow the addict. It's a fact that teen drug use can lead to a life of theft, prostitution, personality changes, mental illness and even death in the pursuit of drugs.

Talking to your kids about teen drug use is no time to pussyfoot or mince words. When you can prove the many deleterious effects drug use can produce, kids are more inclined to listen.