Defining the Rules
It is imperative that you talk to your son about drugs. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, a recent survey of middle and high school students showed that half the children had never had a talk about drugs with their parents. It is your responsibility to talk to your son, and communication is the best tool you have to prevent drug use.
Drug abuse is also not something your child simply decides to do. Most teens think they will just try a drug once for fun to see what the hype is about. They don't realize that there is a very slippery slope that quickly leads to abuse and addiction. Even perfect parents and perfect teens can fall victim to drug abuse.
Fact
Columbia University's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported a third of teens and nearly half of the seventeen-year-olds surveyed had attended a party where the parents were present while the teens abused a variety of drugs.
Before you talk to your son, it is important that you know your drugs facts. There are plenty of places to get information on drugs. You can try Web sites, and books are good sources of information. This will help show you know what you are talking about. It will also give you the ability to answer questions your son may ask about drug use.
When you feel more confident, talk to your son. Find a time and place you can sit down and talk without being interrupted. You should have plenty of time available. While this big talk will be a great start, it is not the end. You should take every chance you have to reinforce your position with your son. Find times to slip in facts or questions about drug use. This will keep you both on your toes.
Firm rules about drug use are imperative. You and your son should both know the rules and the consequences for breaking them. If needed, you must enforce the rules with no exceptions.
Essential
Be sure the parents of your son's friends have similar rules about drugs and alcohol. Be sure they are not enabling kids to drink or do drugs in their home. Do not hesitate to nix your son's plans if they seem worrisome.
There should be one main rule in your family: Drugs are not to ever be used. Ever. Period. Your son should not allow his friends to use drugs in his presence. The consequences should be appropriate for the violation. If your son has been caught drinking or taking drugs, it may be inappropriate for him to use the car, even if the car was not a part of the original infraction. You should also avoid adding new consequences for infractions — stick to the original plan.
