Drug Abuse Prevention Starts With Parents

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Drug Abuse

Parents are integral to the upbringing of a child. The rampant increase of drug abuse globally has shined a light on parents as a path to preventing or reducing drug abuse. Drug abuse is harmful to health and can lead to a variety of health complications. The relationship between a parent and a child can impact their decision on whether to abuse drugs or not. Parents can help prevent drug abuse by their children when they engage in the following steps:

Drug Abuse

  • Know who they associate with:


    The friends of your child can positively or negatively impact their behavior. Bad friends can lead your child to abuse drugs. Parents should look further when they notice that their child has adopted questionable practices. Parents are to encourage their children to seek out positive influences.

  • Model behavior:


    Parents have to be good models for their children to emulate. A child that sees his or her parents abusing drugs is likely to engage in the same acts. Children notice and mirror most acts by their parents because they consider them justifiable. Parents should act responsibly when they are in the presence of their children. 

  • Peer pressure:

    A lot of children are under peer pressure. They want to engage in actions that are done by those they admire. They do not care if the action is positive or negative. Parents must discuss peer pressure with their children.

  • Positive environment:


    A positive environment in the life of a child can make a lot of difference. Children need to be in an environment where they can learn good behaviors and habits. Insecure children are likely to engage in damaging acts such as abusing drugs. Parents are not to be absent in the life of their children. 

  • Talk:


    A cordial relationship is important between a parent and a child. Many parents inspire fear in their children. Some do not discuss certain topics with their children because they feel that they aren’t old enough. Children are to be educated about the dangers of drug abuse. They are to be encouraged to make wise decisions. Parents must actively communicate with their children and a child should not be afraid to talk to his or her parents. 

  • Punishment:


    Parents are to make sure there are punishments attached to unacceptable behavior in the life of a child. There should be clear rules and consequences in a home so as to guide a child in the right way. 

  • Be vigilant:


    Parents can prevent drug abuse by monitoring the activities of their children. A parent should know the whereabouts of their child. They should know where the child is going and who the child is hanging out with. Parents are not to let their children stay out late at night.  

  • Tackle wrong beliefs:


    Parents are to tackle any wrong notion held by their children. The prevalence of the media has made children believe that a lot of wrong acts like abusing drugs are acceptable. 

  • Similar interest:


    Parents should encourage their children to spend them with people that can instill positive and worthwhile values in them. Positive interactions can help build the character of a child.

  • Responsibility:


    Parents are to ensure that their children are to act responsibly in all situations. Children have to learn the difference between right and wrong. They are meant to know what they are to say when they are presented with negative choices.

Drug abuse prevention starts with parents. They have a pivotal role as the increased use of drug abuse in society is worrisome. A lot of children are shattered by drug abuse every year as its publicity increases. Parents are strong influences in the life of a child and they can provide appropriate guidance to ensure that drugs are not abused. You can see medical professionals or diagnostic labs to know more about drug abuse and how it can be prevented in the life of children.