Conversation Starters for Parents to talk to their kids about alcohol and other drugs:
Do your friends use alcohol and/or drugs?
- How are you handling that?
- How does that make you feel?
- Is it hard to say no when your friends use?
What would you do/say if someone offered you alcohol or drugs?
Do you understand that in this family, drug or alcohol use is not acceptable?
What do you think our family rules should be regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs?
We count on you as a family member. Your brothers and sisters look up to you and care about you.
- What would they do if you were gone?
- How would they feel if they knew you were using or if they saw you use?
We are here to support you. What can we do to help?
Sometimes kids use drugs and alcohol because there are other issues going on like stress, unhappiness and social problems.
- Have you thought about this?
Are there other problems you want to talk about?
Do you understand how dangerous it is to use drugs/alcohol?
We love you and won’t give up on you. We’re going to be on your case until you stop completely. If you need professional help, we will be there to support you and make that happen.
Do you know what the dangers of drinking are?
- Loss of memory, unprotected/unwanted sex, unplanned pregnancy, rape, alcohol poisoning, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases or accidents.
Do you know how much it costs someone who is addicted to cigarettes?
- One pack a day for a year costs about $1,500. You could buy your own car by the time you saved that money in a year instead of buying cigarettes.
Do you know how to identify if a driver is under the influence?
- They may smell of alcohol or marijuana.
Did you see them use?
- If they have, find a different ride. Listen for slurred speech and be wary of a lack of coordination.

Other Tips/Suggestions:
Ask what your child thinks when you see someone drinking or using drugs on TV or in a movie. Provide some reasons you disapprove of that behavior.
When you see an alcohol advertisement or hear lyrics about alcohol in a song, ask your child if he or she knows what that is and educate them that it is bad to use alcohol as a youth because it can have long term impacts on their brain, such as memory loss and loss of fine motor skills.