How to raise a drug free teen

Attraction to vices such a drugs and alcoholism is a major problem facing teens. The role of the parents are paramount in ensuing that the child is not caught up in such vices.

The primary responsibility of the parents should be to make themselves available when the child is in a bad situation and help him or her get out of such situations. The parents should of course try to preempt such difficult situations from cropping up by knowing the teen’s circle of friends on a first name basis. The parent should ideally be the teen’s best friend and be aware of the teen’s whereabouts and activities.

As the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. It is imperative that the parents ensure the teenage child spends his or her time wisely. This could include enrollment in some after school programs, sports, community programs or the like, so that there is less time to wander and hang around with the crowd and become attracted to the many vices. It is also pertinent to have another adult keep a tab on the teen when the parents are not available to offer real time direct supervision.

Direct talk helps. It is important that parents talk to their teenagers and make the understand the evil effects of drugs and alcohol, even if the child shows no traces of being inclined to them. This will be a good preventive measure.