Did You Know Talking to Your Teens Helps Reduce Substance Abuse?

Help your child avoid dangerous and harmful substance use!  Parents have powerful influence helping teens avoid the damaging effects of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs. Seven areas for parents to work on with their teens are:

1. Being an active parent figure so that teens grow up with positive parental influences
2. Giving clear and consistent communication that parents strongly disapprove of teens consuming beer and other alcoholic beverages
3. Giving consistent messages that parents disapprove of teens smoking cigarettes or using tobacco
4. Communication to let teens know that parents strongly disapprove of using marijuana and other illegal drugs
5. Encouraging teens to engage in positive school activities such as athletics, band or orchestra, choir, academic clubs, and academic competitions
6. Working with teens and teachers, counselors, and leaders at school to help  your child feel safe and secure at school
7. Supporting teen friendships with others who take school seriously and care about doing well in school. 

A recent study in San Angelo shows that 81% of teens with none of these influences used alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana. Most important, the 81% level of substance use decreased by --

1. 7% when teens have any one of the seven influences
2. 13% when teens have any two of influences
3. 23% when teens have three of the influences
4. 34% when teens have four of the influences
5. 53% when teens have five of the influences
6. 65% when teens have six or all seven of the influences listed above.

Parents cannot be "perfect," but the study shows teens are less likely to get involved with using harmful and dangerous substances when parents support them in any one of these ways. The more ways you can positively influence your child, the better. Start today to help your child avoid harmful and dangerous substance use!

Click here for a printable version!

¿Sabía usted que hablar con su adolescente ayuda a reducir el consumo de drogas? ¡Aprenda 6 de otras maneras ahora!

Ayude a su hijo a evitar el uso de substancias peligrosas y dañinas!
Los padres tienen una poderosa influencia en ayudar a los adolescentes a evitar los efectos dañinos del alcohol, tabaco, o drogas ilícitas. Siete áreas para los padres donde pueden trabajar con sus adolescentes:

1. Ser una figura paternal activa para que los adolescentes se desarrollen con una influencia paternal positiva.
2. Mantener una clara y consistente comunicación de que los padres se oponen rotundamente a que los adolescentes consuman cerveza y otras bebidas alcohólicas.
3. Mantener un mensaje consistente que los padres se oponen a que los jóvenes fumen cigarrillos y al uso de tabaco.
4. Mantener una comunicación para dar a saber a los adolescentes que los padres se oponen rotundamente al uso de marihuana y otras drogas ilícitas.
5. Animar a los adolescentes a involucrarse en actividades escolares positivas como atletismo, banda u orquesta, coro, clubes académicos, y competencias académicas.
6. Trabajar con los adolescentes y maestros, consejeros, y líderes en la escuela para ayudar a su hijo a sentirse protegido y seguro en la escuela.
7. Apoyar las amistades de los adolescentes con otros jóvenes que toman el estudio seriamente y se preocupan por tener éxito en la escuela.

Un reciente estudio en San Angelo demuestra que el 81% de los adolescentes sin ninguna de estas influencias usaron alcohol, tabaco, o marihuana. Y lo más importante, el nivel de 81% del uso de substancias disminuyó por -

1. 7% cuando los adolescentes tienen una de las siete influencias
2. 13% cuando los adolescentes tienen dos de las influencias
3. 23% cuando los adolescentes tienen tres de las influencias
4. 34% cuando los adolescentes tienen cuatro de las influencias
5. 53% cuando los adolescentes tienen cinco de las influencias
6. 65% cuando los adolescentes tienen seis o todas las siete de las influencias mencionadas anteriormente.

Los padres no pueden ser "perfectos," pero el estudio indica que los adolescentes tienen menos probabilidades de involucrarse con el uso de substancias dañinas y peligrosas cuando los padres apoyan a sus hijos en cualquiera de estas maneras. Entre más formas positivas tengas para poder influenciar a tu hijo, mejor. Comienza hoy a ayudar a tu hijo a evitar el uso de substancias peligrosas y dañinas!

¡Haga clic aquí para una versión imprimible!

Thanks to Angelo State University's Community Development Initiative for providing the information!

New Parent Helpline Provides Support, Resources For Teen Substance Abuse

When parents find out their teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, the family's immediate focus is generally on getting help for the teen. But parents are often in great need of help themselves. They may need advice on what to say to their teen, how to evaluate whether he or she needs professional treatment and where to find the appropriate substance abuse treatment program if one is needed. A new toll-free telephone helpline is providing that assistance.

The Parents Toll-Free Helpline, 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373), is staffed by clinical social workers with practical experience in substance abuse prevention and treatment.  The helpline provides information, but is not a crisis line. The helpline is staffed Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. Parents who call after hours can leave a message and will be contacted the next business day.

The helpline, launched by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, began taking calls in April 2011 and will offer bilingual support (English/Spanish) beginning in mid-August.

Parenting Teens Resource Network

Parenting Teens Resource Network (PTRN) is the source for everything to do with raising and understanding teenagers. Teenage behavior affects everyone. Teen actions are community issues, not just parenting issues.

Click here to learn more about the Parenting Teens Resource Network!

Great Conversation Starters

1. If you had to give every human being one quality, what would it be and why?
2. Do you have any recurring dreams? Describe them?
3. What is the meanest thing someone could say to you?
4. If you could be a famous athlete, actor, writer or musician which would you choose and why? (It is fun to guess what the other people in the group will say before divulging answers)!
5. If you were invisible where would you go and what would you do?
6. If your life was made into a movie, who would play you? why?
7. If you could invent one thing what would it be?
8. What is the greatest song ever written?
9. Do you believe in heaven? What does yours look like? Is it different for everyone?
10. What is the most important quality for a boss to have?

Mom, Dad, Talk to Me Video

The Time For Action is Now

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley Youth Service Available

CHOICES is a youth education group whose goal is to facilitate dialogue regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco abuse among teens in our community. Individualized sessions including as-sessments are also provided as well as referrals to service agencies in our area.

CHOICES
Wednesday nights 5:30-6:30 at ADACCV
3553 Houston Harte
For More Information,
Contact Jeanelle Montez
325-224-3481

Click here for pdf flyer!

Do You Speak Teen?
By: Julie Alonso

Text Message: mnE Ps dnt bleev der is a gNR8N d/c b/t em n thr teen.

Text Message Translation: Many parents don't believe there is a generation disconnect between them and their teen.

It's time to bridge the gap and keep our kids drug-free.

When my first child was born, someone jokingly said, ‘there is no manual for raising a child.'  Overtime I have found that just when you think you've got it all figured out and are on your way to parent-of-the-year, your child enters a new "stage."  And of course, with every stage comes its own set of new and exciting challenges.  Our kids are constantly learning, changing, and growing.  They are subject to social influences, some beyond our control.  As our babies transition to tweens and then teens, how can we, as parents, ever expect to keep up - let along be an effective force at changing, eliminating, or more importantly, preventing unwanted behaviors?

I am here to tell you - YOU CAN make a difference!  In fact, the majority of teens still report that their parents-not their peers or the media-have the biggest influence on their decision to stay drug-free1.  The Concho Valley CARES (Community Action & Resources for Empowerment & Success) coalition is here to provide you with the resources you need to address youth risky behaviors, especially preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  

For the first time in history, today's generation of youth have more knowledge in a specific area than adults.  You guessed it - technology!  Our kids are savvy and despite our best efforts, we (parents) don't always know how to communicate with them.  Is it that we are afraid?  Or just feel incompetent - like we speak another language?  Both may be true; however there is help and hope.  As you begin to prepare for the new school year - packing all the needed supplies for your child, also take time to prepare yourself for the new challenges that each new grade (or "stage") will bring: new friends and social influences, new teachers and extracurriculars, not to mention the mounting pressure to succeed.  You will be better able to connect and relate to your child by knowing more about their world and influences.    In fact, research indicates that parental involvement and monitoring will reduce their risk of using illicit drugs four-fold2. 

Check out www.theantidrug.com to learn more about bridging the gap and equipping yourself.  For the most up-to-date abbreviations, acronyms, emoticons, etc; visit www.netlingo.com.  You can also visit http://www.noslang.com/. 

Office of National Drug Control Policy. http://www.theantidrug.com/
Community Builders for Success: monitoring after-school activities. Oregon research Institute. 1999. http://www.theantidrug.com/