Parents

RAISING KIDS DRUG-FREE ON THE OUTER BANKS
The Outer Banks is a unique and beautiful place to raise a family. Our small town flavor encourages community involvement. Our beaches and resort atmosphere provide many opportunities for family outings and abundant summer jobs for our young people. The things that make this area so inviting, can also pose unique challenges to keeping our children drug-free.

SPECIAL TIPS FOR RAISING KIDS DRUG-FREE ON THE OUTER BANKS:
1. Vacant rental houses can be a tempting space for youth to hang out free of adult supervision.
2. Unsupervised parties are not uncommon in our beach community and can quickly get out of control. Oftentimes a relative’s vacant house is used for a party.
3. Summer employment opportunities are plentiful for Dare County youth. Our resort environment, which allows youth to earn ample dollars throughout their summer break, also provides many opportunities to “party” with an older and sometimes riskier crowd.
4. Always know where your children are and whom they are with.
5. Get to know all the adults your children will be spending time with.
6. Talk often with your children about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol.
7. Relocated families - our beautiful beach environment attracts many new families to our community. Even under the best of circumstances, a new home is a high stress factor for the entire family. Teens are especially vulnerable. Parents relocating to our area should make an extra effort to stay involved in their children’s lives. It is a good idea to seek opportunities to get to know your teen’s new friends and their families.

Red flags for Parents

It’s time to get help if you notice:
1. Extreme mood swings, frequent “illness”, school problems, lack of motivation
2. Secrecy, avoiding family, lying, unreasonable anger
3. Hanging with a new group of friends (especially ones you do not know)
4. Questionable money management and sources
5. Unusual items (which could include paraphernalia)

Early education and intervention is the best prevention. Many kids make critical decisions about alcohol and drugs in elementary and middle school. Parents can makes a positive difference. To paraphrase Charles Curie, SAMHSA’s administrator, “Children admit that their parents’ disapproval of underage drinking [and use of drugs] is the key reason they have chosen NOT to indulge.”

What parents can you do as early intervention:
• Talk openly about substance abuse early; set the expectation of zero-tolerance. Expect to have this discussion many, many times; it is not a one-time event.
• Teach your children to have healthy fun without alcohol or drugs. Be an example.
• Don’t let your kids grow up with absentee parents. Share the parenting responsibilities with other reliable parents, neighbors, relatives, or friends if your work or other circumstances prevent you from being there at key times during the day.
• Bolster your children’s self-confidence; talk with them about how to resist negative peer pressure.
• Always know where your children are, what they are doing, and who their friends are. Know their friends’ parents.
• Never let your children attend unsupervised parties; never allow your children to have unsupervised parties in your home
• Do not give your underage children alcohol or drugs - it is illegal!

If you suspect that your children are using alcohol or drugs:
• Act immediately: Tell them you LOVE them and you are worried that they might be using drugs or alcohol. You KNOW that this behavior seems like the thing to do, but it can have serious consequences. Let them know that you FEEL worried and concerned. You are there to LISTEN and you WANT them to be a part of the solution. Then tell them what you WILL do to help them.
Get help.

Turn to community and health specialists for guidance:
• School counselors and student assistance professionals
• Your family doctor or pediatrician, or community health center
• Your minister
• Adolescent prevention or treatment professionals
• Your county’s community anti-drug coalition (Dare CASA)

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