Parent Drug Education Talk Parent Presentation
Oakland Tech Healthy Students What are the drugs? Who’s taking the drugs? What would you like to learn about?
Parent “Influencing Your Children” Agenda The Developing Teen Brain Drugs and Your Influence Monitoring Social Media Talking to Your Children
Parent Social Media Education Agenda The Developing Teen Brain
What’s under the hood?
Still growing
New brain cells grow every day – 10,000! – Half to support current habits, half to support new ones! LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: People can change if they focus their mind People can change if they focus their mind on it! on it!
They can lose natural abilities - If they will stop doing them - includes being happy naturally Children have many gifts – they have to keep them all growing!
Teen Brain Habits become stronger They will become good at what they spend the most time on– Reading, sports, music, video games, x-box, hanging out—whatever a child/teen is doing— includes drinking, drugs to relieve stress The brain grows wirings and connections to make them experts
Where does happiness begin? How does it work to grow us as humans?
Teen Brain Development Seeking to feel good all the time Seeking to feel good all the time Using the natural chemical of “Dopamine” Using the natural chemical of “Dopamine” Dopamine grows their bodies Dopamine grows their bodies Teens feel less happy Teens feel less happy LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: Teens need adventure! Excitement! Challenges! Teens need adventure! Excitement! Challenges! Safety! Safety! … And opportunities to learn AS INDIVIDUALS! And opportunities to learn AS INDIVIDUALS! …
Teen Brain Development Decision-making & self care just beginning Decision-making & self care just beginning Decision-making skills don’t fully develop until the Decision-making skills don’t fully develop until the age of 25 age of 25 Teens are becoming independent and need to have Teens are becoming independent and need to have experiences to find their truth experiences to find their truth LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: ASK Lead by asking the right questions…. Don’t tell… ASK Lead by asking the right questions…. Don’t tell…
Parent Social Media Education Agenda • Drugs and Your Influence
How do drugs work? How do drugs work? Drugs Force Large Releases of Dopamine
What drugs are being used? & How are they being used? Marijuana? Alcohol? Pills (prescription & non-prescription)? Syrup?
Who is at risk? Who is taking the drugs? Who is under a lot of stress? Who needs friends and acceptance?
Marijuana is strong! Marijuana 20-25 times stronger than in the 1960’s
Marijuana Effects Learning challenges Memory Difficulties Motivation lost! Danger of Mental Illness Addiction Try other drugs?
Signs of Use Signs of Use Marijuana: Blood shot, sleepy eyes combined with slow reactions and stumbled vocabulary, skunky smell Alcohol: Smell of alcohol, slurred speech, dramatic changes in personality, lack of coordination
Alcohol kills brain cells! Alcohol gives false courage People do what they want, not what is right People can die from overdose One time can cause permanent brain damage Addictive Commit felonies or get pregnant
Signs of Use Signs of Use Speed: (Meth, Cocaine, Ritallin, diet pills) Excitability, dilated pupils, rapid speech, bouncing off the walls. Ecstasy: Dilated pupils, overly friendly and trusting, sweating, feverish to touch Heroin, PCP, Oxycotin, Cough Syrup: Sluggish, droopy eye lids, extremely insensitive to touch, slurring of speech.
Long term Consequences Long term Consequences Dramatic Changes in Brain Chemistry Retardation of Brain Development Psychological Impairment Physical Problems Physical Addiction Public Record Drug Use Death LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: Drugs are not good for children brain development Drugs are not good for children brain development
Responding to possible Responding to possible overdose overdose Call for help immediately Ask your child to tell you exactly what they took and when. (some ingested drugs will kick in dramatically after 15 to 45 minutes) Ask them to tell you what’s going on with their body, their feelings, and their thoughts If passing out, lay on their side > keep passageways open
Intervening With Children Who Are Intervening With Children Who Are Exhibiting Drug-Using Traits Exhibiting Drug-Using Traits What to do? Notice any changes in attitude, behavior, school performance? Any new friends that may be behind the changes? What do the electronic devices tell you?
Parent Drug Education Talking to Your Children
Healthy Emotions Build Capacity
Talk to your child I care, I see, I feel, Listen Make a non-judgmental Connection Clear expectations and consequences Communication & Monitoring Integrity – Modeling Lock up the alcohol and drugs LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: Get interested in how your children, think, make decisions, and feel
Youth Needs
Prevention Factors Supportive family (tuned in, time together, supervision, fair rules/boundaries, Safety) Healthy, Positive peer role models Youth are connected (school, activities) Social and Decision-making Skills
My Communications Have a few discussions with a friend or spouse exploring the impact of your own communications. Children follow our examples Anger creates irrational states of mind Children need consistency from parents Children need parents to be the leaders LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: Stay Calm
Checklist Am I encouraging open dialogue? Does your teen tell you how they truly feel? Remind your child that he/she can always talk to you (or another caring adult) about anything – without judgment. (You want them to talk to you, right?)
Am I setting aside one-on-one bonding time? Does your teen feel neglected? Is there a family crisis? Show your kid you love him/her by taking them out just you and him/her Remind him/her that you’re still interested in what’s going on in his/her life. Tune in with your child to pick up on problems or changes in his/her behavior.
Self Care Self Care Wake up caring for yourself emotionally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. Have your own life in order. Have your own confidant Divergent thinking = open-minded Human beings are resilient! Enjoy your free time! LEARNING IDEA: LEARNING IDEA: You cannot give something to others if you do not have it yourself
Contact Information Robert Dousa (510) 273-1592 Dousas7@yahoo.com
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