How can you stop your child from using drugs?
Parents... DID YOU KNOW?
13 is the average age for first use of an illegal substance in Fairfield City/Township?
Illegal substance use triples between 8th and 9th grade and again between grades 9 and 10?
75% of youth parties where alcohol is present are in private homes?
There is a 757% (YES 757%) increase in drug useage among youth who attend parties where alcohol is present?
There is a 91% increase in drug usage among youth who report having a full or part time job?
What can you do?
Be an ASSET BUILDING parent!
Set boundaries and expectations. Clear and consistent rules will reduce the likelihood that a youth will use an illegal substance by 77%.
Provide constructive use of time. Participation in clubs, sports, and/or church will reduce the likelihood that a youth will use an illegal substance by 75 - 90%.
Provide support. Help your child to identify several special people in their life: grandparents, uncle/aunt, coach, religious leader, special neighbor.
Make a commitment to learning. Help your child be involved in school/community activities. Read your newsletters, newspapers, bulletins, school announcements for current information.
Do not serve alcohol. When hosting a tenn party, adults who provide alcohol to children under the age of 21 are subject to arrest and prosecution. Parents who host lose the most!
PARENT ALERT!
Snythetic Marijuana
Synthetic marijuana is showing up in our communities. Next time you got to a convenient store or tobacco shop, ask if they sell K2, also called SPICE. It is legal right now, but they shouldn’t be selling to those under 18. However, negative side effects are known to be more dangerous than with marijuana. Fairfield is seeing quite a bit of it, and is looking at a local ordinance to ban it here; several states are looking into a ban as well.
PARENT ALERT!
Alcohol Energy Drinks
"Blackout in a Can" is what some people are calling Four Loko: a dangerous, new alcohol energy drink that contains nearly as much alcohol as a six pack of beer and as much caffeine as a 12-ounce cup of coffee, all in one supersized serving (24-ounce can). Alcohol energy drinks are no new concept and have long been a concern. However, alcohol-infused energy drinks like Four Loko, are especially dangerous because they contain an incredibly high amount of alcohol mixed with caffeine. Medical experts say that combining a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (caffeine) is hazardous to both the body and brain, and it makes for a, "wide awake drunk," as the caffeine masks the typical effects of alcohol. Four Loko's extreme alcohol content, flashy packaging, fruity-sweet flavors and cheap price (sold for as little as $1.99) give it strong youth appeal. And in fact, lawmakers in a number of states are taking legislative action. Earlier this month, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission was successful in banning the sale of alcohol energy drinks in their state. Parents, we want you to not only be aware of this product, and others like it, but we encourage you to talk to your children about the dangers of alcohol energy drinks. Get the conversation started by asking what they know about alcohol energy drinks; then go from there.
Tips for Communities
PARENT ALERT!
CLICK HERE!

Early Childhood Development
Start out right by building your child's self-esteem and providing a strong family connection.
Building a strong foundation in your K-3 childStart out right by building your child's self-esteem and providing a strong family connection.
How to Bring Up the Subject with Kids 8 through 12Kids are exposed to alcohol, drugs, and unsafe situations earlier than you may have expected. Talking to your kids about these dangers is an important step in prevention. Here are some tips to get the conversation started.
How to get through to your teenIt's not always easy to keep an open line of communication with your teen. But it's the single most important thing you can do as a parent to keep your child safe. Keep talking. They're listening, even when it doesn't seem that way.
Get in the Know! Click here to view the Drug Free Action Alliance's Know! program parent tips.
National Institute on Drug Abuse book: "Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolecents"
Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A How-To Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Parent's Guide to Talking with Kids about Drugs

