Resources for parents for preventing teen drug use

Last night, a group of NE Seattle parents whose children attend Eckstein Middle School and Roosevelt High School got together to socialize, connect, and share information.  The group has been getting together for several years -- ever since a few of them took a Guiding Good Choices class at Eckstein.  Guiding Good Choices, and other evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs for parents, encourages parents to stay connected with one another and to support each other in keeping their children away from drugs.

The Prevention WINS coalition offers a variety of drug prevention "tools" for parents.  Videos featuring Dr. Leslie Walker are among them.  Here is one about networking with other parents.

Online Resources

·         PreventionWorksInSeattle.org includes a Parenting Tips & Tools page

 ·         Facebook: Facebook.com/Prevention.WINS helps parents stay connected

Classes & Guest Speakers

·         Parenting programs at Eckstein Middle School including Guiding Good Choices and the Strengthening Families Program.  

·         Start Talking Now –presentations for parents of 5^th grade students in NE Seattle.  Prevention needs to start early and is especially important during transitions, such as the transition into middle school. 

·         Sex, Drugs & Facebook – information for parents of middle school, high school, and college students about social media and drugs and how to promote healthy Internet use.

Print Resources: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Underage Marijuana Use  (To be posted to PreventionWorksInSeattle.org by 11/15/13.) 

For more information about any of these resources, please contact the Prevention WINS coordinator.

Postcard encourages parents to support safe and healthy activities for their teenagers

During Mid-Winter Break, Eckstein Middle School families received the third of three postcards with tips about how they can encourage healthy decision making among their teenage children. 

This final postcard provides information about how parents can connect with other parents and ensure that their children are participating in healthy and safe social activities.

Talk early, talk often, get others involved . . .

Talk Early, Talk Often, Get Others Involved is the new underage drinking prevention campaign launched by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The campaign encourages parents to talk to their children about underage drinking and to talk to other parents and community members about it. Included in the campaign are public service announcements and a tool for creating your own action plan for your family.

New video for Washington parents

Check this out . . . a new video for parents: Underage Drinking in Washington: Something to Talk About from the Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD).

Think your child is using?

A new online resource is now available for parents who suspect their child is drinking or using drugs. Time To Act is a science-based resource that was created to ensure that every parent has free access, on their own terms, to the most current information on how to help their child and their family take the next steps.