Dear PARENT/CONSUMER:
As a clinical psychologist who specializes in teenage substance abuse treatment, I recognize the important role parents and educators play in talking to teens about drug abuse—you can help keep your child away from drugs simply by spending time together. But just as important is being aware of what types of substances are abused by adolescents.
It is widely known that teens sometimes turn to illicit drugs like marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine to get high. But if you're like most parents, you're probably not aware that a number of over-the-counter (OTC) products are also abused by teens. Cough and cold preparations containing the ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM), a common cough suppressant, are among those products targeted for abuse. While OTC medications are safe and effective when used as directed, abuse of products that contain this ingredient can have serious health implications.
There are some basic parenting techniques for talking to kids about drug abuse. Kids who are close to their parents are less likely to engage in a whole host of risky behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse.
- Talk to your kids about drug abuse. Speak with your children often about the importance of carefully following directions on the labels of all OTC medications. Help them understand the dangers of abusing OTC cough and cold medications and make it clear that recreational use of these products is not acceptable.
- Take advantage of "teachable moments." Use anti-drug messages in the media to start conversations with your children. Emphasize the harmful effects of substance abuse. Role play with your child, asking how he or she would respond if offered drugs. Discuss potential responses together. Teaching the basics—honesty, integrity, following directions, being respectful, managing frustration—also teaches kids how to make choices. We often don't think these are drug-prevention behaviors, but they teach kids how to manage themselves day-to-day.
- Know your child's friends—and their parents. One predictor of drug abuse is associating with peers who abuse substances. It is also a predictor of relapse. Stay in touch with other parents and share information on your children's activities.
- Monitor your child's whereabouts. Know where your child is and when he or she will be home. Children know they're loved when parents take an active and sustained role in their life.
- Establish routines. Making a regular weekly routine of doing something special, such as going out for a walk, will allow you one-on-one time to talk with your child. Hold regular family meetings in which each person gets a chance to talk without interruption, and where only constructive feedback is allowed. Eat meals together as often as you can. Use it as an opportunity to discuss a specific topic with your children - current events, their interests, popular music, fashion, or school.
A number of resources offer additional information about substance abuse, including The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (www.theantidrug.com), National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.nida.nih.gov) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov). There are also a number of school-based education programs focusing on substance abuse: Project Alert (www.projectalert.com) and Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, (www.dare.org) are two examples.
Sincerely,
Philippe Cunningham, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina