Parents have been instructed to talk to the children about drugs. They have been offered pamphlets and videos to help with these discussions. This educational information discusses the use of marijuana and other illegal drugs.

What happens when the child starts getting high from the pills they found in the medicine cabinet?The new trend in drug abuse is pharmaceuticals prescribed by a physician. These drugs were created to relieve anxiety, help with sleep disorders, and treat depression. Teenagers are finding these same drugs can elicit feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Drug abuse has moved from the streets to the home. There are even commercials being made depicting drug dealers going out of business because of the home medicine cabinet.

One of the first things you can do to keep your teen drug-free is to be a good role model. Children get the message drug addiction is acceptable when they see a parent relying upon medication. Explain to your children why you are taking the medication. Explain the risks involved and the side effects.

You must set ground rules for your children. This means when talking about substance abuse it is important to include prescription drugs in the conversation. The child must understand the risks involved in taking any medication or drug. It is important to emphasize no matter how well the child knows an individual, they are to never accept medicine from another person. One teenager may see a parent take a pill for a headache. The child may offer that same pill to a friend. That pill could be Xanax.

You must safeguard your medications at all times. Speak with family and friends about safeguarding their medicine as well. Drug abuse can start at any age with any type of drug. Keeping your prescriptions away from your children and explaining the risks of drug use and keep your child drug-free.