{"id":800073,"date":"2019-10-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/?p=372455"},"modified":"2019-10-04T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-10-04T14:00:00","slug":"positivity-is-key-to-preventing-youth-substance-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/local-news\/positivity-is-key-to-preventing-youth-substance-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Positivity is key to preventing youth substance use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: Sponsored content brought to you by the Healthy Futures Initiative<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Talking to your children about substance use and other important subjects shouldn\u2019t happen in the form of a lecture. Be open and honest with your children, focus on positivity and find everyday opportunities to talk to them frequently about these issues.<\/strong>
Getty Images<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When it comes to helping children make good decisions about alcohol, marijuana and other substances, parents are more successful when they skip the scare tactics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth have the ability to fact-check what they\u2019re told, according to Speak Now Colorado, a Colorado Department of Human Services website that provides advice for parents. When parents speak the truth, focus on positive messages and avoid the scare tactics, they not only build trust with their children, they also increase the likelihood their messages get through.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first step parents can take is to become informed about the facts and effects of drug and alcohol use,\u201d said Amy Wineland, director of the Summit County Public Health Department.  \u201cAn educated parent can give their children correct, honest information. It is also important for parents to understand that they are role models and a parent\u2019s view and relationship with alcohol, tobacco and drugs can strongly influence how their children think about them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the most successful tips for talking to youth about making good decisions when faced with difficult situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on positive messages<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows that creating fear about drugs, alcohol or sex \u2014 such as showing graphic images, sharing scary stories about past experiences or sharing tragic outcomes \u2014 might have the opposite effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Logan Simson, a 17-year-old senior at Summit High School, said she and her peers are more likely to listen when the messaging from adults is positive. Simson is active in the Youth Empowerment Society of Summit (YESS), a youth group that works to promote healthy choices among their peers. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRather than say, \u2018don\u2019t do drugs or you\u2019ll die,\u2019 it\u2019s more important to point out that our brains are still in development and these substances have long-term effects,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re consumed by worry and fear, your brain can\u2019t absorb these messages. The brain isn\u2019t in a learning state when someone tells you, \u2018people will die.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

These impacts on the brain are even more pronounced in young people. Wineland said it\u2019s important for parents to understand brain development during adolescence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe pleasure centers develop faster than the parts of the brain that are responsible for decision making and risk analysis,\u201d Wineland said. \u201cIn fact, their brains will not be fully developed until age 25. They do not always recognize the consequences of their actions. This is why their brains are more susceptible to addiction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When thinking about how to deliver positive messaging, Wineland suggests taking advantage of teachable moments. For example, if there is a character in a movie that is smoking, parents can talk about smoking, nicotine addiction and what smoking does to the body, Wineland said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis can lead into discussions about other drugs and their effects,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Promote self-confidence<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Gloria Quintero, parent educator with Strengthening Families Outreach Program at Youth and Family Services, said every young person, regardless of scholastic honors, can fall victim to peer pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust because your child is on the honor roll does not mean they have the moral compass, confidence, or maturity it takes to \u2018just say no,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be critical or judge your child \u2014this will only push them away from you. Simson said a simple \u201cI love you,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m proud of you\u201d goes a long way with youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe youth need to know the adult has faith in them and knows of the good they are doing and are capable of,\u201d Simson said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speak Now Colorado offers the following tips for promoting self-confidence when talking to children about substance use:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Give them the opportunity to make decisions.<\/strong> Give your kids the opportunity to make decisions, like whether or not to go to a party. This establishes your trust in them, and their ability to do the right thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Praise them for a job well done.<\/strong> Praise your children when they make smart choices. Positive reinforcement can go a long way. Let them know that making smart choices will bring about positive outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Say \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/strong> It is important for your children to know that you care. Tell them you love them frequently. Let them know you are there for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your relationship strong<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin Albert, Summit County Youth & Family Services manager, said parents are the most powerful influence in their children\u2019s lives. It\u2019s important to listen without judgment and let the youth express their thoughts and beliefs even if you don\u2019t agree with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cParents will often bring strong emotions or reactivity into the conversation. This is understandable, but can impede the conversation,\u201d Albert said. \u201cRemember to acknowledge your own beliefs and values and check them at the door so that you can hear your child express their thoughts and forming beliefs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Albert advises to continue talking to your kids about these difficult subjects throughout their childhood in order to continue building a strong relationship. One conversation is not enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes we incorrectly assume our youth know our personal values and beliefs and that we know theirs,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

These types of candid conversations about difficult subjects have the potential to strengthen your relationship, Quintero said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo your homework, and be ready to admit when you don\u2019t have all of the answers. There\u2019s no harm in saying, \u2018That\u2019s a great question. I\u2019m going to have to talk to someone who knows better than me and get back to you,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cThis will show your sincerity and help reinforce that it\u2019s a conversation and not a lecture, thus making them more receptive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most children respond well to open-ended questions, Wineland said.  You can start by asking them what they think or know about drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy asking them questions, parents are showing their child that they are willing to discuss it and hear what they have to say,\u201d Wineland said. \u201cThey might be more willing to come ask questions in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

via:: Summit Daily<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: Sponsored content brought to you by the Healthy Futures Initiative Talking to your children about substance use and other important subjects shouldn\u2019t happen in the form of a lecture. Be open and honest with your children, focus on positivity and find everyday opportunities to talk to them frequently about these issues.Getty Images When […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-800073","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-24 22:45:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSMT The Mountain","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=800073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800073\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=800073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=800073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=800073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}