What Parents Need to Know - School & Sports - San Saba News & Star

Submitted By Missy King, Prevention Specialist Central Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Thursday, June 9, 2011 • Posted June 9, 2011

Summer! Just the mere thought of it excites most students, yet concerns many parents (and for good reason). Summer is a known time for increased alcohol, marijuana and other drug use, including first-time experimentation. What sets this season apart? Increased-Unsupervised-Free-Time.

At this transitional age, our children naturally seek their independence and our trust. But, the two can make for a risky combination, given the allure and pressure of, "friends and fun."

Know! encourages you to keep your child safe and drug-free with these Summertime Tips:

Set Summertime Rules:

Supervise:

Monitor:

Engage:

Team Up:

Stay Involved

Communicate:

Know! to help your child enjoy a safe and drug-free summer, filled with positive experiences and fun times with family and friends.

RESOURCE

CTCADA
offers both adolescent intervention and treatment programs. Education, individual counseling, family therapy, group counseling and referral to other resources are all part of a comprehensive effort to prevent or intervene in youth alcohol and drug abuse. Call us at 254-690-4455!: KNOW! Helpthemknow.com Regardless of season, it is always a good time to talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Open (or maintain) the lines of communication and be your child’s trusted source of information.: Show your child you care by taking time out of your busy schedule to do something fun and interactive together this summer (head to the movies, volunteer together, take a bike ride, etc.). Connect with the parents of your child’s friends and agree to each take a turn escorting the group of tweens on a local outing of their choice (zoo, amusement park, museum, etc.). Provide some structure to your child’s summer by engaging him/her in a supervised activity (sports, camps, classes, etc.) or maybe even a summer job (babysitting, mowing lawns, dog-walking,etc.). Know with whom and where your child is at all times. Randomly call and text your child to check in, and don’t be afraid to check up on your child by calling another parent. If you are unable to be physically present when your child is at home, ask a neighbor to check in, or consider hiring a "buddy-sitter" to hang out with your tween during the day. Unsupervised youth are three times more likely to use alcohol or other drugs.Make clear your rules regarding unsupervised time spent with friends, as well as your expectations surrounding drinking, smoking and other risky behaviors.

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