Summer is here! It is a great time of year to enjoy all that New Hampshire has to offer, including easy access to the mountains, ocean, and lakes. It is a time to spend with friends and family, enjoying barbeques, camping, swimming, and more. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous times of the year as it relates to the experimentation and use of drugs and alcohol among youths. A 2012 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that youths between the ages of 12 and 17 are far more likely to start using most substances during the summer than during other parts of the year. Using alcohol or drugs before the brain has fully developed increases the risk for future addiction dramatically. While this information may be alarming, there are many things parents and community members can do to help keep young people safe and healthy this summer.
“Young people certainly have more free time and oftentimes less adult supervision in the summer months,” explains Shannon Bresaw, Director of the Capital Region Community Prevention Coalition. “This can lead to more opportunities for youth to be exposed to substances such as alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs.”
Bresaw advises parents to be more vigilant than ever in talking to their kids about the risks of alcohol and other drugs and providing clear rules and expectations concerning their behavior. She also recommends involving youth in structured, adult-supervised activities as much as possible. “It is perfectly normal for adolescents to want to push the envelope and have free time away from their parents and other adults. However, parents really do have the power to influence their kids when it comes to making decisions about substance use.” In fact, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free New Hampshire, the number one reason kids do not use alcohol or other drugs is the fear of disappointing their parents.
Bresaw recommends that parents visit drugfreenh.org for helpful tips on how to protect their children. “It is not easy to start these types of conversations,” states Bresaw, “But, it is ok for parents to tell their kids that this type of behavior is not acceptable and is against the law.” In addition, parents can take steps to prevent their children from accessing prescription drugs or alcohol in the home by locking up medicine and liquor cabinets. Parents should also be aware of potential warning signs of substance abuse, including changes in behavior, appearance or mood. For more information and other tips to keep your children safe and healthy this summer, visit drugfreenh.org or contact the Capital Region Community Prevention Coalition at 224-3840, ext. 228.
The Capital Region Community Prevention Coalition, an initiative of Granite United Way, works to prevent substance use among youth and young adults by mobilizing community members to implement evidence-based prevention strategies designed to improve public health and well-being in the Capital Region. Shannon Bresaw, Director, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a Certified Prevention Specialist with over nine years of experience in the field of substance abuse prevention.
