Since prescription medications are given by a doctor and are designed to help people, children can mistakenly conclude taking these medications is not as dangerous as taking other drugs. Parents need to ensure their children learn this is not the case and that misusing prescription medications could have very serious repercussions. Luckily, talking to your child about prescription drug abuse may not be as difficult as you may think.
Step 1
Keep it age-appropriate. Simply telling small children that they should only take medicine under a parent's or doctor's supervision may be enough, while teenagers may need a much more in-depth conversation. Determine the age, maturity level and prior knowledge of your child when planning your discussion.
Step 2
Ask an open-ended question to start the conversation. "Do you know anyone who has taken prescription drugs to get high?" or "What do you think could happen if someone took medication the wrong way?" are just two examples of many questions you could ask as long as it gets your child talking about the subject.
Step 3
Discuss why some people choose to abuse prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Peer pressure, getting a buzz, eliminating pain or just plain curiosity are just some of the reasons you could discuss. Explain thoroughly why taking drugs in each of those situations is not appropriate and provide plenty of ideas for alternative behaviors that could be done instead.
Step 4
Explain the dangers of using prescription medication inappropriately. It may be useful to read the warning labels on various medications together. Printing information off the internet about the risks involved with misusing prescription drugs may also help.
Step 5
Express how you would feel if you found out your child were abusing prescription drugs. Explain in detail how angry, sad, disappointed or upset you would be. Believe it or not, your child really does care about how you feel and what you think.
Step 6
Discuss the possible repercussions of prescription drug abue. This can include the type of punishment you would give but also any punishments the child may receive from school or even law enforcement. Explain how each punishment could negatively impact both short-term and long-term goals or aspirations.
Step 7
Practice different ways your child can say no if offered prescription drugs. Role-playing and practicing various responses can help your child feel more confident in his ability to say no without losing face in front of friends.
Step 8
Listen to your child. Although it is important for you to impart your own knowledge and morals about the issue, it is equally important to listen to what your child thinks and feels about this issue. Validate your child's feelings and avoid any judgmental or condescending comments. Make sure your child knows you are always available to listen.
Step 9
Model the appropriate behavior. If a child witnesses you accepting prescription medicine from family and friends instead of a doctor, the child may mistakenly conclude that is acceptable for her as well. Actions can speak louder than words, so make sure you are practicing what you preach.
Tips and Warnings
- Get to know your child's friends and their parents. An involved, knowledgeable parent can make a world of difference.
- Keep medications that could be abused in a locked cabinet. You may trust your child not to misuse the medication, but it's better safe than sorry. Monitor the internet use in your house to ensure that your child or his friends are not purchasing prescription drugs illegally online.
