TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT OPIOIDS:
TA K E A C TION Use these tips to talk with your teen: •
Check in frequently to see how they are doing;
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Choose informal times to talk, such as in the car, during dinner, or while watching TV;
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Be clear and consistent about your expectations regarding opioids and other drug use;
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Establish family agreements to spend time together doing social and extracurricular activities;
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Let them know you care and are always there for them; and
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Continue talking with your teens as they get older.
Help your teen create an “exit plan” in case he or she is offered or faced with a difficult decision about prescription opioids (such as texting a code word to a family member). Peer pressure can be powerful, so coming up with realistic action steps and practicing them together in a safe environment will prepare and empower your teen to make good choices when it matters. Make sure to properly store and dispose of all medication. All medications that are expired, unused, or no longer needed should be removed from your home and disposed of immediately. This will reduce the chances your teen takes medication accidentally, misuses it, or shares it intentionally. Visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ to locate a collection site to safely dispose of your medication.
Keeping Your Kids Safe
Research suggests that one of the most influential factors when a teen is growing up is a strong, open relationship with a parent or caregiver. For more information about how to talk with your teen about prescription opioids, visit www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov and www.samhsa.gov.
www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov
#TalkTheyHearYou PEP20-03-01-002