Drugs 101: What Parents Need to Know
For 10 years the educators at the Byrnes Health Education Center in York have been teaching parents about the most used and abused drugs among teens. Their free workshop “Drugs 101: What Parents Need to Know” teaches the early warnings signs and describes in detail what to look for what it comes to drug and alcohol abuse.
This adults-only community program provides both parents and educators with factual information regarding teenage drug and alcohol abuse. It presents current information about drugs, assists in identifying signs of substance abuse and empowers parents to discuss the dangers of drugs with their children. This program focuses on the signs, symptoms and current trends in the abuse of alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, synthetic drugs, prescription drugs, tobacco and inhalants.
What sets the Drugs 101 program apart from drug education programs like it is a mock bedroom jam packed with drug paraphernalia otherwise known as “indicators”. Books with pages cut out, a realistic water bottle with a false bottom for hiding drugs, pipes, whip cream cans. Just about every way a teen could hide their stash is represented. Parents are encouraged to examine the space to see how many indicators they can identify”.
Clutter, or drug paraphernalia? Perhaps both. Parents can and should “be snoopy,” said Ferrarra.
“There are a lot of drug education programs out there. The Byrnes Health Education Center has always had a unique approach to teaching,” says Director of Education Services Jamie Reisinger. “We’re very proud of it. We know we have a unique way with the bedroom scene which really brings it to light.”
Watch the video below to learn how you can help keep your child healthy and drug free:
Ten Ways to Detect Teen Drug Use
- Do Their Laundry Occasionally. This non-intrusive technique often yields the first clues of substance abuse. Check shirts for vomit, pants for urine and pockets for left-overs.
- Give ’em a hug. Embrace your child when you see him. Whether via hug or handshake, take a moment to evaluate the sights, smells and mannerisms he comes home with.
- Do your homework. If your child was drunk, could you tell? What about high? Brush up on signs and symptoms so you can tell the difference.
- Know their friends. Friends say a lot about our own values. This is particularly true for teens. What are their friends doing?
- See the signs. Incense, eye drops, body spray and breath mints are common cover ups. Also be alert for expressive T-Shirts, doodle-art and alcohol branded merchandise.
- Ask the right questions. Instead of asking, Are you using drugs?, try Do you know anyone who uses drugs? How do you feel about that? Explore the topic of drug use from a comfortable distance.
- Get it in writing. Written family agreements are essential. Eliminate confusion, illuminate goals and accentuate expectations. Only three months at a time!
- Dial in. You’re going to need some help. Familiarize yourself with the local, and internet-based, resources on this subject. This is a constantly evolving topic.
- Pound the praise. Instead of, You better not drink! Try I’m so proud of my sober daughter! It’s easy on the ears, and it works better.
- Know when to be a friend. Let your teen know that it’s okay to talk to you if she needs to. Talk about risks of drug and alcohol abuse, reveal the examples and remind your child of your shared responsibility to defend each other from substance abuse.
Source: Byrnes Health Education Center / www.drugfree.org
Photo by Crystal Stryker
Marguerite Ferrarra, assistant director of education (left) and Jamie Reisinger, director of education services at the Byrnes Health Education Center used role playing, props, and a slide show to explain to parents what to look for when it comes to substance abuse.
For more information about attending a “Drugs101: What Parents Need to Know” workshop contact the Byrnes Health Education Center in York at 717-848-3064 or email jreisinger@byrneshec.org.
