Talking about Drugs and Alcohol

Does it have to start so soon? Is it really appropriate to talk to a third or fourth grader about drugs and alcohol? Parents and teachers of elementary-age children have varying opinions, most of which can be distilled this way: It depends on the child. Nevertheless, long before drugs and alcohol are on the horizon, you can help your child think about peer pressure in a way that will be useful later on when the stakes are much higher.

• Long before children get into the tricky universe of controlled substances, they're interested in their own world of friendships--their social circle. Capitalize on that interest. Talk about what makes a person popular, admirable, or likable.
• Elementary age kids love to hypothesize. Raise a question such as "If someone asked you to cheat on a test..." or "If someone you really liked wanted you to shoplift..." and discuss the problems that presents.
• If your child asks a specific drug-related question you can't answer, make that an excuse for a trip to the library or a dip into the Internet. The more accurate information children have, the less vulnerable they are to half-baked theories about what's cool and what's not.
• Avoid overloading your child's circuits. Don't blitz eight- and nine-year-olds with more cautionary details than they bargained for.
• No matter how old he is, if your youngster brings up a specific concern, pay attention and invite a discussion. Putting it off "until you're older" can slam the lid on the most powerful--and fragile--connection you and your growing child have: communication.

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