Get Ready To Talk!
We live in a country where legal and illegal drugs are everywhere.
Drugs are chemicals that alter people's minds and bodies. These include tobacco, alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medicines as well as illegal drugs. Drugs alter our senses, which can impact our ability to drive a car, ride a scooter, operate a computer, communicate clearly, or monitor the safety of children. The chemicals in alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs and illegal drugs can shorten our lives and increase our chances for injury. Some drugs, like alcohol, are strongly associated with forms of violence. Drugs, whether legal or illegal, are a part of our lives.
Many mixed messages exist about alcohol, tobacco, legal and illegal drugs. Billions of dollars are spent on ad campaigns which tell us to drink, smoke, and take prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
About Alcohol
We are bombarded with advertising that tells us that drinking alcohol is what attractive and successful people do. Alcohol can be used in moderation by many adults without negative effects. Drinking alcohol can be seen as a part of adult celebrations, consumed at weddings, work promotions, and sporting events. Of those people who do drink alcohol, there are some who do not drink in moderation. Such drinking can lead to serious health and safety problems.
It is only in the past few decades that people have felt comfortable discussing emotional and physical dependence on alcohol, problems with binge drinking, and seeking help within the recovery community.
About Tobacco
Tobacco was widely used in many environments and it has only been in the last few decades that the harm caused by smoking has been publicly acknowledged. Many older adults can remember a time when airlines thought that people sitting in a non-smoking section would be safe from the harm of second hand smoke. Today we realize the severe harm of smoking and second hand smoke.
About Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs
Drug company commercials promote the message that there is a drug for quickly solving almost every problem. Commercials tell us that a pill can solve stress, sleeplessness, shyness, anxiety and depression. It has only been in the last few decades that drug companies have been marketing their projects directly to the public. The phrase that follows commercials is, "Ask your doctor is this drug is right for you." Certainly, many drugs prescribed by a doctor can solve health problems. But such prescribed drugs are also being misused by both adults and young people.
About Illegal Drugs
Drug overdose is one of the most common causes of death in New Mexico. Many of the drugs that cause these deaths are illegal drugs. Emotional and physical dependence on illegal drugs, like legal drugs, is a serious problem.
Goals of "The Talk"
The goal of this "talk" is to help parents and children:
- Define terms related to alcohol use and misuse
- Define terms related to tobacco use
- Define terms related to drug use
- Discuss the difference between legal and illegal drug use
- Discuss how to respond when offered alcohol, tobacco, prescription or illegal drugs
- Identify the health and safety problems associated with alcohol, tobacco and drug use
- Identify where to go for help if problems with drug use exist
- Discuss family rules, school rules and laws about drug use
- Discuss alternatives to harmful alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
As you explore
As you explore this site, you and your child can learn from a variety of activities. This "talk" includes the following family activities:
- Let's Talk Activities
- Videos
- Safety Rules
- Questions and Answers
- 10 Tips
You may also access the Google map directory of services, guide to resources, glossary of terms, calendar of events (to attend a Let's Talk parent workshop), or learn about local Community Projects your family can support.
The "Let's Talk" Activities
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are everywhere.
It's best to think about what to do when we are offered drugs before it happens.
Using the above Let's Talk activities can help young people think about ways to cope with stress. The activities can be used in a way that is easy and fun leading to all kinds of interesting talks about alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Parent and child can work together on filling in the cartoon characters' thinking and speaking bubbles.
There are no right or wrong answers, just lots of opportunities to discuss the issues. It just takes a few minutes to chat about how the bubbles were filled in and to explore the issues of tobacco, alcohol and drugs with your child. 
Videos
Let's Talk provides videos to spark conversations between family members about the "tough issues."
In the video, "Who's On Drugs", four families start talking about various forms of drug use" from alcohol to illegal drugs. The parents are surprised with how much their kids know and their attitudes.
Questions & Answers
Kids and lots of adults have questions about keeping safe, healthy and successful in school. We have collected commonly asked questions and responses from around the nation.
How has the issue of drug abuse changed from when parents were kids?
Alcohol abuse and drug use is not new. Young people have always been curious about substances that can alter their feelings. Teens, like adults, may feel the need to try to avoid stress or anger by having a glass of beer or smoking marijuana or taking a pill. Or they may feel pressure from their friends to fit in. What is new is how early kids are using alcohol and other drugs. Concerns that were once only focused on college students are now concerns about students in high school, middle school and late elementary school.
Safety Rules!
Every family has values about tobacco, alcohol and other drug use.
A parent might feel strongly that drinking alcohol is not OK until a person is of legal age of 21. This value can be a guide for people to follow. Values also lead to family rules.
10 Tips About Alcohol & Drugs
Families are finding solutions to all types of problems.
We have created a list of ten ways to keep young people safe, healthy and successful at home, school and in the community. Read about "10 Tips About Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs" and share your tips, too.
'Here's What I Know' Quiz
Now that you have learned so much about alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs and illegal drugs, take a moment and try the 'Here's What I Know' quiz. It's only a few questions and a good chance to show what you know.
