Keeping Youth Drug-Free: A Guide for Parents, Grandparents, Elders, Mentors, and Other Caregivers.

N

25

Adolescents; Children; Drug Abuse; Drug Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Health Education; Intervention; Parent Materials; Prevention; Substance Abuse; Youth Problems

Research indicates that parents, grandparents, elders, foster parents, youth leaders, coaches, and others can play a major role in keeping young people from using alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. This booklet provides caregivers some guidelines in communicating with youth about these potential problems. It is geared to the parents or guardians of 9-to-13 year olds, but the material and exercises can also work for different age groups. The booklet is divided into five sections, based on the five reasons that young people give for using marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco (the most commonly used substances): (1) to feel grown up; (2) to fit in; (3) to relax and feel better; (4) to take risks; and (5) to satisfy curiosity. Each section provides background on each reason, information on how adults can help, and exercises to share with children. For caretakers who presently use alcohol or who have tried marijuana or other illegal substances, this guide provides information that can help in steering children away from the use of these substances. The suggestions provided here give guiding principles for communicating with youth; caretakers should use their own words when speaking to their children. Other helpful resources that adults can draw upon are listed in the back. (RJM)

1997

ED398523