Parents are an enormous source of influence on their children, and even during those absent teenage years during which parents tend to feel their influence wane – parents remain the most important prophylactic factor against drug experimentation.

You may not think that your kids listen to you, but they do.

It’s a scary thing; when kids become teens and as their sphere of influence broadens far beyond the home. The teen years are challenging at the best of times, and parents can no longer shelter and protect their no-longer-young children from the temptations and dangers of the world. The only things that parents can do are to provide a loving, safe and structured home, to communicate well about expectations and consequences, and to have frank and honest talks about the real dangers that lurk.

And one of those dangers is certainly drug and alcohol experimentation and abuse.

They will probably experiment eventually (at least with alcohol) but the longer you can delay those first drinks, the better the odds that they won't suffer any lasting harms from their substance use. Talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol, in a way that they will respect and listen to, is vital!!!

Here are some tips for talking with your son or daughter about drugs and alcohol

1. Be honest.

If you get caught in a lie or an exaggeration you lose all credibility. Tell then the truth. They'll respect you for it, and listen to your message because of it.

2. Know your facts

If you take the time to talk with your children about the risks, make sure you know what you're talking about. Get educated, and make sure your facts come from credible sources (Unbiased sources).

3. Empower them

Inform them that you want to have a talk about drugs and alcohol, and let them pick the place and time to do it. Give them a sense of ownership over the conversation and keep their attention better.

4. Keep it factual

Don’t let your fears or anxieties cloud the issues. Teach them the facts and truths about the dangers, and communicate clearly the family rules and expectations. Keeping the emotional tone neutral emphasizes the content of the message.

5. Don't get angry!

Remember that the teen years are a time for experimentation, and a natural curiosity about things such as alcohol is quite normal.

6. Ask questions, but respect their right to privacy

Make sure to make this talk a communication and not a lecture by asking for their input as you go. Try to understand their outside-world reality and try to understand what concerns they may have. If they choose to remain somewhat close-lipped, you're better off in the long run respecting their right to privacy and thereby keeping the door to future conversations and dialogue wide open.

7. Don't wait until it's too late

Kids start experimenting with drugs and alcohol earlier than most parents realize. If you wait until they're in high school to have this talk, you may have waited too long.

8. Do it!

About half of all parents never talk to their teens about drugs. Be a great mom or dad and make sure you're kids go out into the world armed with the information they need.