Pot and meth and Molly, oh my! Parenting can be a tough job and knowing what types of drugs kids may be exposed to can feel overwhelming. What drugs should we talk to kids about and at what age? Since kids who talk with their parents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol are up to 50% less likely to use, it is important to talk early. But knowing exactly what to say and when to say it is something many parents struggle with.
How young is too young to talk to kids about drugs? It is never too early to start prevention talks. At the different developmental stages, there are conversations that parents can have with their kids to help prepare them to avoid these harmful substances. Even as early as the preschool years, parents can talk with their kids about healthy living and recognize the healthy choices that their kids make. As children develop and their risk of exposure to drugs increases, the topics of the conversations should become more specific to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
The earlier parents start talking to their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the easier it will be to develop an open line of communication. Talking points to use at different age levels can be found at DrugFreeAZKids.org.
