Didn't Work

Schools looking to talk to their students about drugs may recall the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Reinforcement Education) programs taught in schools. But after a generation of D.A.R.E. graduates, studies found that "just saying no" didn't stop enough teens from doing drugs. A National Institute of Justice Research Brief in 1998 filed the D.A.R.E. program under drug prevention that "doesn't work."

Yet children still need a drug talk, so researchers and experts in drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation gave some helpful tips for parents to help children avoid drugs, or stop using them.

Confront Problems Quickly

If a teen is caught with drugs, or even suspected of using them, addiction experts recommend parents don't wait to act.  If a teen starts smoking or drinking, they are at a much higher risk to becoming addicted than if they waited to later in life to drink.

Start Talking To Kids When They are Young

Intervening earlier can prevent problems from occurring.  It is recommended that parents begin the drug talk prior to they having an opportunity to use.  Studies show that prior to high school is not soon enough.  Studies show that many youth have their first full drink prior to age 15.

Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations

Most children generally know their parents expectations regarding drug and alcohol use.  Still, many parents hesitate in discussing this topic especially if their child has yet to be exposed.  Parents must set clear expectations and bounderies as well as informing the child of the consequences if the rules are broken.

Be Positive

When discussing this topic, be positive, give positive statisitics, such as, the majority of theirs peers aren't drinking or doing drugs.  And 93% of 8th graders don't smoke marijuana.

Build emotional ties and resiliency first

Drug abuse prevention can start without even mentioning drugs.  Sometimes it is better to work on a different subject such as how to cope with stress or peer pressure.  Encourage family outings and family dinners.  A decade of research involving 1000 teens and 452 of their parents found that compared with teens who have family dinners five to seven nights per week, teens who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) were twice as likely to use tobacco or marijuana.

Point Out Real Life Examples of Problems

Experts say point out real life examples of the consequences of addiction.  You might talk about a family member, or a friend of theirs.  Let them know that using alcohol or other drugs can create irreversible negative life consequences.

Leave Emotions At the Door

Tone matters!  So when discussing this topic with your children, experts say despite the tough language used to discourage drug use in the past, broaching addiction as a health issue may ultimately be more effective.