For many school districts here in Florida, the first quarter of the school year is almost over. As the school year ticks on, schoolwork, extracurriculars and even social settings start to mount up quickly, causing more daily pressures for students.

That stress could lead to experimentation with substance use. Substance use is defined as using any mind-altering chemicals such as alcohol, illicit drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription drugs that are not prescribed to the user by a doctor or taken as prescribed by the user.

According to SAMHSA’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 1.8 million adolescents ages 12–17 and 17.2 million young adults ages 18–25 had consumed alcohol in the past month. The same survey found that in the past year, 1.6 million adolescents and 8.6 million young adults had used marijuana, while 478,000 adolescents and 1.1 million young adults had misused opioids.

One of the easiest and best ways to help prevent substance use in adolescents and teens is communication.  Good communication between parents and children is the foundation of strong family relationships. Developing good communication skills helps parents catch problems early, support positive behavior and stay aware of what is happening in their children’s lives.

Some tips, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), for good communication with adolescents are as follows:

  • Show interest/concern. Don’t blame/accuse.

  • Encourage problem-solving/thinking.

  • Listening & Observing 

  • Reducing Emotion: Sometimes, talking with children brings up strong feelings that interfere with clear thinking. Following the CALM steps can help a parent keep the conversation moving in the right direction.

    • Control your thoughts and actions.

    • Assess and decide if you are too upset to continue.

    • Leave the situation if you are feeling too angry or upset.

    • Make a plan to deal with the situation.

Do not be afraid to talk to your children about the risks and dangers of substance use at a young age. SMA Healthcare has a couple of prevention programs tailored for youth that are also helpful when it comes to communication about substance use. For more information on these programs or other substance use and mental health services, please contact our SMA Helpline at 800-539-4228.