How to prevent your children from taking drugs

the Swiss Institute for the prevention of alcoholism and other dependencies

Like most parents, you are worried by the problem of drugs.

If you have any questions about this matter, or if you would like to adopt a preventive attitude towards your children, this booklet will provide you with useful information through concrete examples.

Like you, we are convinced that the prevention of dependences begins at home, through the relationship of parents with their children. This is done through the reinforcement ofthe child's self-esteem.

As recent studies have clearly shown, the earlier prevention starts, the more efficient it will be.

You do not necessarily need to be an expert in dependences to talk about this issue with your children.

What really matters is talking together, listening to each other, and having  confidence in one another.

Through daily words and actions you will be able to build a relationship which will allow you to prevent your children from having a problem with drugs.

As a parent, your desire for your child is that they might lead a successful life, developing their intellectual faculties, their talents, and other abilities, and then finding a job they would like.

Yet, never forget that pressure linked to school is quite strong, and that some children find it impossible to cope with such pressure.

A child can have the impression that too much is  expected from them, thus feeling out of place at school.

There is a risk that they will feel undervalued, and some might go through a nervous breakdown.

It is up to you to support your child, and to instill in them a sense of confidence.

If your child behaves in a quite worrying way, it may well be a sign indicating that they face problems related to drugs.

Nevertheless, there is no sign which could clearly indicate that your child has started taking drugs, or has even become addicted to drugs, as there is no clear sign showing that someone is an addict.

Striking facts, such as an inexplicable worsening of school marks, minor thefts, or repeated offences, are not automatically a sign of drug consumption or addiction.

Such behavioural problems are sometimes due to puberty, or other momentary difficulties (too muchwork load, for instance, or a broken relationship).

The best way to know what is wrong with your child, is to talk freely with tem about this.