Parents in Prevention October 2018 Will Straughan, Morgan Jones - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Parents in Prevention 
 October 2018 Will Straughan, Morgan Jones FCD Prevention Specialists

FCD Prevention Works Prevention is a climate , not a program ➢ Private nonprofit organization ➢ 43 years of school-based substance abuse prevention ➢ 2.5 million students, 70 countries ➢ A HEALTH Perspective ➢ Long term partnership with Loyola High School

This Week: 9 th and 12 th graders FCD returning to work with other students next month ▪ 9 th graders – Curious, respectful, LOTS of questions – Covered the basics – Wanted to know how to help a friend in trouble ▪ 12 th graders Upper – They know everything School – Very respectful and curious Curriculum – Stressed with college applications, other pressures – The majority expressed concern about a friend or family members’ possible addiction


 Risk & Protective Factors for Addiction 
 � F amily history � The same 300 genes that are positively correlated with substance use disorders are also positively correlated with difficulties with mood and behavioral regulation � Male relatives of males with alcoholism run a 20-50% percent risk of developing alcoholism themselves � A ge of first use – delayed use prevents both short and long-term negative consequences � S urroundings - family influence, peer pressures, social media, school culture � 4

Why Do Kids Use Alcohol 
 and Other Drugs? What kids tell FCD ▪ Stress: Loyola students feel significant pressure from: academics (90%), parents (65%) and their own expectations (89%) ▪ Marketing ▪ “Everybody does it.” ▪ “To fit in.” ▪ Lack of information ▪ Unknown parental/adult expectations

Substance Use Patterns & Social Norms National Data – 2017 Monitoring the Future ▪ USA student use of alcohol and illicit drugs other than marijuana and inhalants are at their lowest points

Physical & Emotional Health Consequences of Vaping Nicotine ▪ Nicotine addiction: withdrawal symptoms include: ▪ Irritability , craving, depression, anxiety , cognitive and attention deficits , sleep disturbances , and increased appetite Vaping Daily, 2018

Parents in Prevention What parents say DOES matter ▪ The majority of Loyola students (57%) would be comfortable talking to their parents about a friend who has an alcohol or other drug problem

What Parents Can Do ▪ Prevention: an ongoing conversation ▪ Know when stress is high ▪ Set clear limits, expectations and consequences: they are listening and don’t want to disappoint you ▪ Listen to your teens thoughts about alcohol and other drugs ▪ Continue to share your thoughts and concerns � 10

Resources ▪ FCD Prevention Works – Find us on Facebook – www.fcd.org – schools@fcd.org ▪ National Institute on Drug Abuse – http://www.nida.nih.gov ▪ Partnership for Drug-Free Kids – http://www.drugfree.org/ ▪ Above the Influence – http://abovetheinfluence.com/