Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers of Youth
SAFE Project is committed to providing valuable connections and resources to parents, guardians, and caregivers of youth, aiming to transform attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that empower all stages of youth development.
Helpful Tips for Adults
- Adults are a leading protective factor.
- Be as informed as possible.
- Spend quality time together. Quality time has a long-lasting impact! Youth spell LOVE as TIME!
- Talk often and openly.
- Nurture a positive self-view and sense of self-worth.
- Cultivate positive thinking and maintain a hopeful outlook.
- Identify goals and prioritize steadfast focus.
- Foster resiliency and skills to cope, control, and persevere.
- Provide positive and encouraging guidance.
- Model values and character development.
- Support healthy social connections.
Making the Choice
SAFE Project is committed to providing valuable connections and resources to parents, guardians, and caregivers — working together to empower youth to make healthy choices and reach their fullest potential.
How to Talk and Listen to a Child in Your Care
It’s never too early to start the conversation. Discussions about alcohol and other drugs are ongoing conversations that can begin as early as preschool years and continue throughout the teen and young adulthood years. As youth grow, your conversations may change, but they always will be centered on keeping them happy, healthy, and safe. Talk early, talk often, and take advantage of teachable moments. As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids: your views can strongly affect how they think and the choices they make.
Articles & Resources
- Talking to Young Children about a Loved One’s Substance Use
- Preparing to Talk to a Young Child
- Preparing to Talk to a Teen
- How to Talk and Listen to Your Teen
- Booksmart: Spark a Conversation With Teens
- NaturalHigh.org: How Helping Kids Find Their Natural High Leads to Healthy Choices
- NaturalHigh.org: Help Kids Find Their Tribe
- SAMHSA: “Talk, They Hear You”
- DrugFree.org: LGBTQ+ Youth and Family
- DrugFree.org: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Kids
- Partners in Prevention: Pride Toolkit (to download the toolkit, visit the website, click on the “download the toolkit” link, add your contact information, and you will receive the toolkit in seconds)
Brain Development in Youth
Did you know that the human brain is still developing until about age 25? Have you ever asked your child “what were you thinking” and they say “I don’t know”? Chances are they weren’t lying. Teens are more likely to take risks and have impulsive behaviors because essential parts of the teenage brain are still forming, affecting the ability to make logical decisions. Developing brains are more prone to damage. As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids. Your views can strongly affect how they think and the choices they make. Talk early and talk often.
Articles & Resources
As a result, teens become addicted more quickly with greater consequences (9 out of 10 people with substance problems started using by age 18; Center on Addiction, 2018). Every year substance use is delayed during adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decreases 4 to 5 percent (SAMHSA, 2015). Youth who begin using addictive substances (tobacco, alcohol, illegal, over-the-counter or prescription drugs) before age 15 are nearly seven times more likely to develop a substance problem, compared with those who delay first use until age 21 or older (Center on Addiction, 2018).
Know the Facts
If they don’t get the facts from you, they will get their information from another source. Children today are exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs at increasingly younger ages. The media is filled with images that promote smoking and drinking as “cool,” fun, and a natural part of life. Research shows that children who hear the facts about drugs and alcohol from their parents are significantly less likely to use them. As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids. Your views AND accurate facts on the topic can strongly affect how they think.
Articles & Resources
Specialists in the Field
The internet is packed with sites and information on the topic of substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. To assist you in being confident you are accessing reliable sources, this list is being provided as a means to assist you in your research (note: this is not meant to be a comprehensive listing).
Partners & Collaborators
- CADCA
- U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration
- Voice for the Children
- National Family Support Technical Assistance Center
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Natural High
- Partnership to End Addiction
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Seeking Help
When it comes to the safety and well-being of your child, you can never be too safe or intervene too early. Talk to your child as soon as your instinct tells you something is wrong, or you notice signs of possible substance use. Express your concern and willingness to help. Seek the support of a professional, a family doctor, or addiction specialist who can screen for signs of drug misuse and other related health conditions.
For all medical emergencies: Call 911
Articles & Resources
- SAFE Treatment and Family Support Locator
- Building Blocks: Create a Crisis Plan For Your Minor or Adult Child
- What is a Relapse/Recurrence? Hint: It’s Not A Failure
- The Truth about Harm Reduction
- At the First Signs of Substance Abuse
- When Things Get Rough
- How to Support Your Child’s Transition Out of Treatment
- How to Support Your Friend’s Transition Out of Treatment
- Everyday Etiquette For Recovery Allies
- Responding to Stigma
- How We Respond to Stigma
- What Is Person-First Language?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Explained
- What to Ask About in Recovery Housing
- Benzodiazepines and Opioids: A Threat to Your Safety
- Listen Up: Podcasts on Addiction, Treatment, & Recovery
- Building Blocks: Create a Crisis Plan for Your Minor or Adult Child
- What to Do if You Witness an Overdose
- When Your Loved One is in Treatment
- Have a Safety Plan
Youth Authors & Illustrators Spotlights
Each year, we highlight authors and illustrators who promote prevention and resilience among youth and young adults. In prevention work, facts and statistics are important – but they are rarely enough on their own to inspire change. Storytelling has the unique ability to move beyond information by creating common ground for human connection. Each author and illustrator offers a unique perspective on the power of storytelling, the field of prevention, and the best approaches