TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT OPIOIDS:
TA K E A C TION Use these tips to talk with your child: •
Plan to have many short talks;
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Choose informal times to have the conversations, such as in the car or during dinner;
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Continue talking as they get older;
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Clearly state what you expect regarding drug use;
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Create family rules together, such as expectations when hanging out with friends; and
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Let them know you are always there for them.
Keeping Your Kids Safe
Exit Plan
Talk to your children about having an “exit plan” if they are offered prescription pain relievers that are not theirs. Peer pressure can be powerful among youths, and having a plan to avoid drug misuse can help children make smart choices. Talk with your children about what they would do if faced with a decision about drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member. Be sure to practice the exit plan in a safe environment.
Safe Storage and Disposal
It is important to properly store and dispose of medication. For more information about how to safely store or dispose of your family’s medicine, read Safe Storage of Prescription Medications9 or Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.10
www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov
9 Safe Storage of Prescription Medications (https://bit.ly/2Hwwy2k) 10 Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know (https://bit. ly/2luz8L1)
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