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Second District Juvenile Court Articles: Grandparents Hold Key to Keeping Teens Drug-Free

Grandparents Hold Key to Keeping Teens Drug-Free

(ARA) - Today's grandparents do much more than bake cookies. Forty-four percent of grandparents see a grandchild every week and 45 percent of grandparents talk weekly or more with their grandchildren. According to a national survey conducted in conjunction with the 2000 Census, there are 2 million grandparent-headed homes with children under 18 and another 3.2 million grandparents live with and share parental responsibilities for their grandchildren. In other words, grandparents are doing more "parenting" than ever.

As 60 million grandparents celebrate Grandparent's Day Sept. 9, it is important to reflect on the key role they play in influencing their grandchildren's lives, especially when it comes to drugs.

While parents are generally recognized as the most important and long-lasting influence on children, grandparents have a close and special bond and often serve as an inspiration to their grandkids. The unique relationship between grandparent and grandchild provides an ideal opening for a discussion of the dangers of drugs.

Research shows that grandparents are looking for guidance on how to talk to their grandkids about difficult topics. In fact, according to a recent AARP survey, 54 percent of grandparents would find information about discussing drugs somewhat or very useful.

In honor of Grandparent's Day, the Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign offers the following strategies for grandparents to keep their grandkids drug-free:

  1. Start: It is never too early to prevent your grandchildren from trying drugs. Building protective factors, such as letting your grandchild know you care, plays an important role in deterring them from drugs. State your position clearly and often. One of the major reasons teens decide not to use drugs is the fear that their parents or other family members will lose respect for them. Teens do not want to let down their families.
  2. Connect: Take the opportunity to build lines of communication and do things regularly with your grandkids. Spend time together -- eat dinner with them, read together, play a game, go shopping, go to the movies, a baseball game or go sightseeing together. Use opportunities like family gatherings or inviting your grandchildren to stay over to show that fun doesn't require drugs.
  3. Listen: Take an active interest in what is going on in your grandchild's life. Foster family openness by listening to their cares and concerns. This way, teens will feel more comfortable to open up to you when they need your advice.
  4. Educate: In honor of Grandparent's Day, spend at least 30 minutes discussing the dangers of using drugs with your grandkids. Continue the discussion on a regular basis.
  5. Care: Make sure your grandchildren know you care that they are drug-free.
  6. Support: Explain to your grandchildren that you are always there for them -- no matter what happens. Make sure that they know to come to you for help or information.
  7. Learn: Children today are sophisticated. To educate your grandchild about the dangers of drugs, you need to educate yourself first. Sit down and learn about what messages kids are bombarded with everyday through peers, school and the media. It is up to grandparents to help teens sift through those messages and decipher right from wrong. Grandparents should also be aware of all of the risks drugs pose.
  8. Lead: Young people watch what you do, as well as what you say. Don't just say the right things, do the right things. Set a good example. If you, yourself, have a substance abuse problem, get help.

If you would like more suggestions on communicating with your grandchild, visit www.theantidrug.com, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's online parenting resource. The site offers a brochure titled "Parenting Skills: 21 Tips and Ideas to Help You Make a Difference," which may also be ordered by calling (800) 788-2800.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

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