Teens are talking about trends in substance use.

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Teens talk about trends in substance use, consequences and what Parents NEED to know….

Q.  What do you see is the biggest trend in teen substance use right now?

Teen's Answer: 

• Hookah
• Alcohol
• Adderral
• Hookah and alcohol.  There are too many parties.
• A large trend I see is the use of vaporizers.  Kids like them because they are odorless.  Also, kids think they are more safe because there is no combustion… but they are actually very bad for you.

Q.  Do you know anyone who has gotten in trouble for drinking or drug use?  If Yes, what happened to them and how did it affect their life?

Teen's Answer:

• Yes.  They went to jail, lost their license and college opportunity.
• Yes.  They get drug tested at school.
• Yes.  They got an MIP and there were embarrassing videos of them on the internet.
• Yes.  They got an MIP and many freedoms lost.
• Yes.  They got an MIP which effected getting into the college they wanted.
• Yes.  They were admitted to rehab and lived a sober life for a few  months.  This person fell back with their “user” friends and is back to more use.
• Yes.  They received an MIP and might be sentenced with probation for 2 years.  I don’t think they learned much though.

Q.  What do Parents need to know and do about teen substance use?

Teen's Answer:

• That it is growing – it IS prevalent
• Make sure a Parental unit is home for parties.
• That  kids are doing them, maybe even their own kids. 
• They need to know that it is on the rise and how to detect changes in their own children  when they either start using or need help with an addiction.
• They need to know that they set an dexample for their children regarding substance use.  If parents handle  their stress in healthy ways, then their children will be more likely to handle stress in healthy ways.

Q.  When do you think is the right time for Parents to talk to their kids about drinking and drug use? 

Teen's Answer:

• It depends on the child.  I remember some kids did drugs in middle school, but some not until high school.  Middle School is a great age to start the transition to the topic.
• Middle School.  8th grade, age 13-14.
• Younger;  10-11. 
• Middle School, entering 6^th grade.
• Every age, so that they know drugs are wrong.

Q.  What do you think Parents should say to their kids about drugs and alcohol at this time? 

Teen's Answer:

• They should tell their kids’ that they are not good for them, and if they ever find themselves in a situation that involves them, to just leave.
• Tell them the consequences and effects of drinking and using drugs.
• Explain to them the truths about effects, legal ramifications and the importance of making your own decisions.

Q.  What should Parents say to their kids when they are in high school and how often should they talk to them?

• Make good choices.
• Talk to them at least once a month.  Talk about the effects, but try to keep an open dialogue about what they want to talk about.
• Discuss with them what they observe among their peers and how common it is.
• That there are choices they make now are crucial to their future.  They should talk to them  about it often.
• You should trust your child, but know the signs.  Be aware when they act strange or suspicious.  BUT, be open to helping them.

Q.  What would YOU say to a young teenager, someone in middle school right now about drinking and drugs?

Teen's Answer:

• Don’t do them.
• It doesn’t make you cool.
• It’s NOT worth it – your future is much more important. 
• Starting early as a teen, means they have a higher risk of addiction.
• You shouldn't be doing it.  Drugs are more harm than fun.
• If you are able to say "No."  Then you will be the most mature kid at the party.
• Drugs are never worth it.  You should NEVER do them in any situation.  You ALWAYS have the ability to say "No."

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YAB teens look ahead to 2014

YAB Teens share their New Year’s Resolutions….

My 2014 resolution is to talk slower and watch my body language at all times.  You are always communicating something whether you are speaking or not.  I want to make sure I am always communicating positive and kind messages.

To turn my plans into cans and stay confident.  I need to be less anxious and let things turn out how they will.

To strive to be the best person I can be, and continue to remain aware of my surroundings and be able to make good decisions.

My new year’s resolution is to be healthy, to help others and to keep helping and informing my community.

And their MOST important influence…. 

My future… especially since we are SO close to going to college.

Success.  I have so many future job opportunities that I don’t want to risk not being able to participate.  I don’t want to have to tell future employers that I was in trouble with the law due to substance use.

My future.  I want to be healthy and successful, not just right now, but for the rest of my life.

My future.  I always make decisions based on future consequences, not just what’s “in the moment”.

YAB WORDS TO LIVE BY:  

Patience…  courage…  think first…  be positive….  help others….  be happy…. be healthy…

 

Happy New Year from the Youth Action Board! 

#livedrugfree

Teen’s are talking about..... Pressure to drink or use drugs.

How to handle it and how to communicate with Parents.

Q.  Is there pressure to drink or smoke in high school?  My parents always say to call and no questions asked but I don’t believe them?

A.  There is always pressure, but the decisions you make are always YOUR responsibility.  Make sure you have someone to call if you need to leave the situation.  It could be a parent, friend or another relative.

A.  Yes, there is always pressure to do something you may not feel comfortable doing.  If you call your parents in these situations, they will have much more respect for your decisions.

A. It depends on the situation.  People aren’t going to “bully” you if you don’t drink, but it can be difficult to sit and watch while everyone else is doing something different.  You should always call your parents if you want or need to get picked up, no matter what.

A.  There is pressure, but not because of high school.  It is more self-inflicted pressure to try to fit in and not be “that loser that doesn’t drink.”  Parents can be supportive but it ultimately comes down to the teen to reach out and ask for help or advice.

A.  There is definitely pressure to drink in high school.  At every party I have attended there has always been alcohol present and encouraged.  If there was a situation where I had consumed alcohol and need my parents, I would call them.

Q.  So then, how do you handle it if you’re at a party or with other people, even your friends, are drinking or smoking and you don’t want to?  My parents say to call and no questions will be asked but I’m not sure if I should call or how to handle it.  I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.  What would you do?

A.  You always have the choice to say “no.”  If your friends are trying to get you to do something that you don’t want to do then they are not your real friends.  I would get myself out of the situation by leaving and not ratting out my friends.

A.  I am that person people can call if they are in trouble.  I don’t want my friends to feel like they are trapped or stuck in a situation, so I am an unbiased outlet in case they have “strict” parents or now one else reliable to call.

A.  I would call my parents and ask to be picked up.  They will be proud of and respect your decision to not drink/smoke.  However, it does not mean that you are going to get anyone in trouble.  It is their fault if they get in trouble.

A.  I would call a close friend to pick me up.  You will feel a lot better leaving this situation rather than participating in it.

A.  I know that no matter who is drinking or making bad choices my choices are always my responsibility.  If you’re in a bad situation your priority should be to get yourself out of it.  Even if you think your parents may be mad at you, you will regret not leaving.  You should talk to your parents about what they would want you to do in one of these situations.  It may be awkward at first, but it will be worth it.

A.  I try to keep an open dialogue with my parents concerning these issues so that I can feel comfortable with my decisions.

A.  Yes.  I’ve talked to my parents and I feel a lot more comfortable with the topic after talking with them.

A.  My parents have told me to be smart with my decisions and to be safe.  I am honestly not the kind of kid that would drink and do drugs.  My parents expect me and trust me to make good decisions.

Q.  What do you think Parents should know, do and say to address drinking and drug use with their teen?

A.  They need to be more open with teens and show them the consequences.  Then they must be accepting of the teen’s final choice, knowing they have talked it through and warned them.

A.  They should not tell their teen that if they do drink in high school that they will be in trouble because if they needed help in a bad situation then their teen would not call their parents.  Parents should address drinking and drug use in a positive way but not encourage it.  They should tell them it can wait for later in life when it’s appropriate.

A.  Parents should try and understand the situation their teen is in.  If the parents push too much on the fact the teen shouldn’t be doing drugs or drinking too much, the teen might just resort to that behavior.  There is a very fine line between support and lecturing.

A.  They should make it a conversation, not a lecture.  I would know the legal consequences and inform your teen about them, maybe “shock” them with the facts.

A.  Parents should be open-minded and honest with their teens.  They need to find the balance between too much and too little control.

Q.  What’s your influence to be drug-free?

A.  My influence is my future.  I want to be happy, successful, and make a positive impact on the world.  I don’t have the time to let drugs or drinking get in the way.

A.  My future.  My family.  My health.

A.  I believe being drug-free is extremely important…. especially the way our brains are developing.

A.  My future has no room for the repercussions of drugs.  It has never interested me health-wise, social-wise or self-wise!

High School Teen’s Talk on Balance, Prioritizing and What’s Really Important in their Lives

Q.  Since the start of school, things are overwhelming.  How do you balance everything?

A.  I’m able to balance everything by staying organized and keeping to a schedule.  I also remind myself it’s important to be relaxed.

A.  I take time away from all of it, and make time to relax.  I ask myself if I can cut down or postpone anything, and then let people know I need help.

A. It’s always hard to balance everything that comes with the school year; homework, studying, sports, friends, extracurriculars’…  I have to really cut back on my “free time” that was always available in the summer and focus on what’s most important for me both now and in the future.

Q.  So what do you do to organize and prioritize?

A.  I keep a planner.  And, I keep things updated on my phone as well.

A.  Write everything down.  And set aside time for each event.

A.  I make a schedule for myself, based on what is most important to me.  By sticking to a schedule, I can easily accomplish all of my tasks and manage my time better.

Q.  There’s so much that seems important.  What’s most important to you in your life?

A.  I think the most important thing to me is being aware of my future and trying to take that into consideration in my choices every day.

A.  The people in my life – without them I wouldn’t have motivation or drive to succeed.

A.  I think that my family and my future are the most important to me.

Q.  What’s your influence to be drug-free?

A.  My influence to be drug-free is reminding myself that the consequences of today, could affect my tomorrow.

A.  My future.  Nothing I do should be sacrificed at the expense of my health or well-being.

A.  I like to think about my future…. 10 years from now, I will be proud to be drug-free.