Drugs, Alcohol and Our Kids

It is impossible to have a happy and peaceful home when you get invaded by toxic chemicals. If you have children who are 11 years old or older, there is a very real threat to their safety and that of your whole family.
The toxic chemicals I am talking about are drugs and alcohol. Every student who attends middle school and high school is exposed to numerous drugs on a regular basis.
Does that mean that all kids will try drugs? Definitely not!
It's just really important for parents to be aware of what their kids are dealing with while they are at school and in social situations. As parents, our best defense is a good offence. When we educate ourselves and our kids about the kinds of drugs out there and what they can do to their bodies and futures, the chances of them experimenting reduce dramatically. If our kids only get their drug information from their peers or a dealer, the message will be completely distorted.
When we discuss drugs and alcohol with our kids early and often, we can be the loudest voice in their head and a greater influence.
I completely understand that no parent wants to believe that their child would consider experimenting with drugs but avoiding this issue is not only foolish but potentially dangerous. We teach our kids to look both ways before crossing the street and we teach them not to touch the stove when it's hot. It only makes sense that we warn them of the other dangers as well.
Drugs and alcohol don't discriminate. Addiction and destruction can happen in any family regardless of race, gender or social status.
Some of the most common drugs to be aware of are;

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Spice
• Ecstasy
• Cocaine
• OxyContin, Oxycodone
• Vicodin
• Percocet
• Heroin
• Adderall
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine

To see a more detailed description of the signs of usage of these drugs and their effects click here:
Drugs Parents Should Be Aware Of
 
Ignoring the power that drugs have will not keep them away from your kids or out of your family. The only way to reduce their power is to expose them. Learn everything you can and discuss it openly and often with your kids.
Knowledge really is Power.