While there are many tough issues when raising teens that can strike fear in the heart of a parent, teen drug use might be number one. But parents can't allow fears to force them to ignore drug concerns in their teen's life - and all teens have them! Each and every teenager knows someone in school who experiments or readily uses drugs. Every teen has seen it on television or in the news.
To empower a drug-free teen you'll need to put your fear aside and meet this issue head on. You can keep your teen drug-free, or start them on a drug-free path if they have been experimenting already, because this issue is not bigger than your loving influence.
How To Set the Rules: Teens and Drug Use
While your teen is learning to become independent, you will still need to guide the way. This is especially true when it comes to serious issues like drug use because it is not just your teen you are dealing with. There are the drug dealers who would love to get to your child or the negative peers who would use your child to valid their drug using behavior. Therefore, it is very important you make a conscience effort to set the rules where teen drug use is concerned.
Here's How:
1. Tell your teen that drug use of any kind will not be tolerated in your family. Be clear so that there is no interpretation. Ask if he understands these expectations.
2. Ask your teen if there are any questions. Be prepared to answer these and bring up a few of your own if you feel more information needs to be discussed. Continue talking to your teen about drugs after the rules have been set.
3. Establish the consequences for breaking the rules. Be firm with them. Once these are set, think of the consequences as black and white – no gray area here. Don’t let your teen off the hook or add consequences when a rule is broken.
4. Check up on your teenager. When he tells you his plans, check them with other parents. Let your teen know that you take the role as his parent very seriously.
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