Talk Alcohol & Drugs

How to Talk to Teens about Substance Use

How do you talk to teens about drugs and alcohol, and more importantly — should you bring it up?  

The answer is yes, talk about it. By the time teens are in 12th grade, 46% of them have tried illicit drugs and 61% have abused alcohol 

Plus, many drug-related incidents in Nebraska are caused by alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana. 

The best thing you can do is talk early and often with your teen about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. 

Spill the Tea on Underage Drinking

The average age teen boys first try alcohol is 11 and for teen girls it’s 13.  

Talking about underage drinking doesn’t give teens the idea to start drinking. Instead, they learn a different perspective that includes the dangers and risks. Having open conversations about alcohol use encourages kids to make responsible decisions when they are offered a drink. 

Get the ball rolling on the conversation today. 

Talk About the Dangers of Drugs

As adults, you have a big influence on what your teen says yes (or no) to, and they could be saying yes sooner than you think.  

According to SAMHSA, by the time teens are high school seniors, nearly half will have taken an illegal drug and more than 20% will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose.  

It’s time to talk with your teen about drugs and learn the trends of smoking, vaping, and marijuana today. 

Prevent Opioid Misuse

There’s an opioid epidemic in our community and it’s impacting everyone, including teenagers.  

Doctors often prescribe opioids like OxyContin, Hydrocodone, and Codeine for post-surgery pain for wisdom teeth removals, tonsillectomies, and setting a badly broken bone — procedures your kids might need one day.  

Learn how to prevent opioid misuse, addiction, and overdoses today. 

Tips, Tools & Resources

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