Word on the Street

23 Tips to raising DRUG-FREE kids

1. Compliment your kids on their character, individuality, and on all their efforts.
2. Involve your kids in adult-supervised after-school activities they are interested in.
3. Develop ways for your kids to get out of drug-related situations.
4. Get to know your kids’ friends and their parents.
5. Call kids’ parents if their home is to be used for a party.
6. Set curfews, enforce them, and let them know the consequences of breaking curfew.
7. Let your kids know they can ask you anything and that you will give them an honest answer.
8. Set a “no-use” rule for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
9. Sit down for dinner with your kids at least once a week to talk.
10. Make and enforce clear rules.
11. Consistently enforce a small number of rules with mild consequences.
12. Show you care enormously about the choices your kids make about drugs.
13. Plan regular parent-child activities that both of you enjoy.
14. Emphasize the things your kids do right instead of focusing on what they do wrong.
15. If you abuse alcohol or drugs, seek professional help.
16. Talk early and often about drugs and their consequences.
17. Talk with your kids about the things that are important to them every day.
18. Listen to your kids.
19. Take advantage of everyday “teachable moments” to discuss drugs.
20. Arrange to have your kids looked after or involved in activities from 3-5 p.m.
21. Leave your kids notes and talk to them on the phone so they will feel your presence.
22. Offer to pick your kids up at any time when they are in a place where drugs are being used.
23. Be involved in your kids’ lives and have fun with them.

Partnership for a Drug-Free America