91裸聊视频淪tudies show alcohol experimentation starts and cannabis exposure is starting ,91裸聊视频� says Chantal Vallerand, Executive Director at Drug Free Kids Canada. 91裸聊视频淭hat can be hard to read, but it91裸聊视频檚 not all bad news. Studies also show that parents are for young teens and even young adults. That means you have a lot of sway with your kids and how they navigate their teen years.91裸聊视频�
Set your kids up for success this fall by creating an open dialogue around drug and alcohol use. Creating a safe environment for kids and teens to ask tough questions is one of the best ways to help them make healthy choices this school year.
around substance use should start long before the teen years, Vallerand says.
91裸聊视频淪tart healthy habits early by teaching toddlers that while vitamins and medicine taste good and are an important part of keeping them healthy, they can also make them sick if taken without permission from you,91裸聊视频� Vallerand says.
By the time kids are entering kindergarten they should be able to identify dangerous household products.
91裸聊视频淲hen talking about the packaging labels with images like 91裸聊视频榝ire hazard91裸聊视频�, 91裸聊视频榩oisonous91裸聊视频�, 91裸聊视频榗orrosive91裸聊视频�, or 91裸聊视频榚xplosive91裸聊视频�, try using words like 91裸聊视频榟urt91裸聊视频�,91裸聊视频檅urn91裸聊视频�, or 91裸聊视频榮ting91裸聊视频� so they know what those labels mean,91裸聊视频� Vallerand says. 91裸聊视频淎lso be sure to place harmful products and all medicines somewhere safe, so they can91裸聊视频檛 be accessed by young children.91裸聊视频�
Parents and caregivers can start more honest and fact-based communication by age nine.
91裸聊视频淲hen starting more serious conversations remember that fear tactics generally don91裸聊视频檛 work,91裸聊视频� Vallerand says. 91裸聊视频�, keep conversations light and casual. The goal is to create a safe environment around these topics so they feel comfortable coming back to you with future questions.91裸聊视频�
Create a substance use prevention plan
91裸聊视频淪ubstance use is often masking underlying struggles with healthy coping mechanisms,91裸聊视频� Vallerand says. 91裸聊视频淎 good prevention plan should include helping your teen find healthy coping mechanisms for stress. If your teen is showing signs of struggling with their mental health, consider getting them sooner rather then later.91裸聊视频�
Research shows that who admitted to having used over-the-counter medication without a prescription say they got them from home, as a direct result of parents and guardians not securing medications. A amongst youth is that pills from home are safer than street drugs.
91裸聊视频淩emind your teens that all types of over-the-counter medication, including pain medication, prescription medication and natural medication are dangerous when used improperly,91裸聊视频� Vallerand says. 91裸聊视频淜eep it secured safely in your home at all times and return any unused or expired medication to your local pharmacy91裸聊视频�
Parent and youth support
Educate yourself so you91裸聊视频檙e prepared to answer questions your kids have about drugs and alcohol. Get the information you need to educate and support your child online at .
Concerned your child might be experimenting already? Find support by phone at 1-866-381-1511 or through live chat . Drug Free Kids Canada91裸聊视频檚 is available 24/7 offering answers to all of your questions and concerns.
For more information visit and follow them on , and for additional support and resources.