How to inform your children of the drug problems

Swiss institute  of alcoholism and other drug addiction

Like many other parents, drugs is a problem that worries you.

You have questions on this subject?

You want to prevent your children from taking drugs?
 
Thanks to examples taken from real situations, this booklet will give you useful hints to help you.

One thing is sure, we both agree: prevention of drug addiction starts at home, through the relationships between adults and children where the self-esteem has to be strenghtened.

Outcomes of recent studies carried out recently, clearly demonstrate that the sooner the prevention begins, the better and the more successful it will be.

You needn't be a specialist in drugs to talk about it with your children.

It is necessary to listen to them, you must establish a real dialogue based on reciprocal confidence.

Through everyday behaviours and words, you will be able to establish a relation thanks to which you will prevent them from drug problems.

You want your child to succeed in life, you want him to develop his intelligence, his gifts and his skills, you want him to find a job he will like.

But don't forget though that your children already suffer from important pressures at school, and that some of them find it hard to cope with it.

A child might feel like too much is expected from him, and that school is not meant for him.

He might think his is worthless and might have a nervous breakdown.

You must give your children support and give them self-assurance.

When it becomes obvious that your child's behavior is worrying, it could be because of drugs, although one cannot determine clearly when a person starts taking drugs or is on drugs, or when he or she is a drug addict.

If your child's marks at school are not as good as usual, if he repeatedly committs minor robberies or minor acts of delinquency, it does not necessarily mean that he  got hooked on drugs.

Such problems of behaviour could be linked to puberty or to other temporary difficulties (for example if your child endured a heartbreak or if he feels worn out because of too much work).

The best way to know it is to speak openly with your children of this major problem .