Helpful Information on Drug Awareness and Prevention
PARENTS - Ways to help children resist drugs:
become informed about drugs and alcohol and their effects and be a creditable source of information
make your position on drugs and alcohol abuse clear to your children; have frank, open discussions with them
parents need to discuss with each other the handling of the issue of drug and alcohol abuse
be aware that the behaviour you expect from your children may be different from what your children say is expected of their peers
avoid unproductive accusations as these often result in denial and isolation
upon discovering evidence of drug or alcohol abuse, such as paraphernalia, discuss this with your child, restate your original position, and make clear the consequences you are prepared to enact
help your children find ways to have fun without drugs through outdoor activities, sports, music, dance, and creative projects
show your children how to deal with day-to-day problems like frustration, stress, disappointment, boredom in a positive drug-free way.
Remember….Parents are Powerful Role Models
RISK FACTORS
Risk factors are associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other substances. The five most important risk factors in The Alberta Youth Experience Survey were identified as:
Age: As youth get older they are exposed to more risk factors and use tends to increase.
Peer Risk Behavior: Youth whose close friends participate in risky behavior (smoke cigarettes, use cannabis or drink alcohol or break the law) are more likely to use or abuse alcohol or other drugs.
Family History of Abuse: Where there is a history of alcohol or drug abuse in the family, there is a greater probability children from this family will use or abuse these substances.
Family Discord: When youth felt their parents did not get along, this was identified as a risk factor.
Disconnection from school: When youth have difficulty completing their school work, have problems with teachers and/or peers or don’t like being at school, they are at greater risk of abusing alcohol or other drugs.
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Protective factors are
aspects of living that have a positive effect on life and are associated with
not using or abusing alcohol or other drugs. The Alberta Youth Experience
Survey the five important protective factors were identified as:
Parental Monitoring: When parents know where their teens are after
school and on weekends, who they are with and set curfews, youth are less likely
to use or abuse substances.
Social Skills: When youth are able to manage difficult social situations
well, they are less likely to use substances.
Positive Social Activities: Youth who have access to and are actively
involved in school or community sports teams, groups such as Boys and Girls,
Scouts or 4-H clubs or church groups are less likely to use or abuse substances.
Good connection to school and high grades: Youth who do well at school,
like their teachers and feel comfortable at school are less likely to use or
abuse substances.
15 Aspects of Resilience
To overcome adversity, children, youth and adults draw from three sources of resilience:
I have:
1. People around me I trust and who love me, no matter what.
2. People who set limits for me so I know when to stop before there is danger or
trouble.
3. People who show me how to do things right by the way they do things.
4. People who want me to learn to do things on my own.
5. People who help me when I am sick, in danger, or need to learn.
I am:
6. A person people can like and love.
7. Glad to do nice things for others and show my concern.
8. Respectful of myself and others.
9. Willing to be responsible for what I do.
10. Sure things will be all right.
I can:
11. Talk to others about things that frighten or bother me.
12. Find ways to solve problems that I face
13. Control myself when I feel like doing something not right or dangerous.
14. Figure out when it is a good time to talk to someone or take action
15. Find someone to help me when I need it.
Risk Reduction
Risk reduction is taking action to reduce or “cut down” your individual risk of developing problems with alcohol or other drugs. Risk can be increased or decreased by the lifestyle choices you make or the kind of environment you live and work in.
Making positive changes in one or more of the following areas will reduce individual risk of developing problems:
Relationships-sociability/ability to be a friend/ability to form positive relationships
Service-gives of self in service to others and/or a cause
Life Skills-uses life skills, including good decision-making, assertiveness, and impulse control
Humour-has a good sense of humour
Inner Direction-bases choices/decisions on internal evaluation (internal focus of control)
Perceptiveness-insightful understanding of people and solutions
Independence-"adaptive" distancing from unhealthy people and situations; autonomy
Positive View of Personal Future-expects a positive future
Flexibility-can adjust to change, can bend as necessary to cope positively with situations
Love of Learning-capacity for, and connection to, learning
Self-motivation-internal initiative and positive motivation from within
Competence-is "good at something
Self-worth-feelings of self-worth and self-confidence
Perseverance-keeps on despite difficulty, doesn't give up
Spirituality-personal faith in something greater than self
Creativity-expresses self through artistic endeavour
Recognize Warning Signs
Changes in friends
Changes in sleeping patterns
Declining grades or work performance
Loss of interest in hobbies or leisure activities
Loss of motivation
Hostile or uncooperative attitude
Unexplained disappearance of household money or valuables
Remember – having any of these signs does not mean that you have a drug abuse problem. They may be due to some other problem, or they may not be serious at all.
Check with your doctor or an AADAC counselor. Don't take any chances! Deal with any warning sign right away.