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| PARENTS. THE ANTI-DRUG. |
| For additional information visit any of our alcohol and drug prevention and information links (click here) |
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All information on this page was gathered from http://theantidrug.com/ on April 18, 2008. |
| Megan Miller Program Coordinator 3703 N. Richmond Rd. Johnsburg, IL 60051 youth@mayc.net 815-344-0001 |
| The #1 reason kids choose not to use drugs- their parents! |
Parents are used to hearing their
teens speak in code - from the
trendy catchphrase of the week to
the popular acronyms used for text
messaging and online chatting. But
one term that might come up more
frequently this time of year is "420"
(pronounced "four-twenty").
Those familiar with popular drug
culture might recognize the code as
a reference to the annual
pot-smoking holiday on April 20 (or
4-20). There are many theories
explaining the origin of the term
and the date - from the supposed
number of active chemicals in
marijuana to an alleged police crime
code for drug arrests to the time of
day a group of California teens
congregated to smoke up in the
1960s.
teens speak in code - from the
trendy catchphrase of the week to
the popular acronyms used for text
messaging and online chatting. But
one term that might come up more
frequently this time of year is "420"
(pronounced "four-twenty").
Those familiar with popular drug
culture might recognize the code as
a reference to the annual
pot-smoking holiday on April 20 (or
4-20). There are many theories
explaining the origin of the term
and the date - from the supposed
number of active chemicals in
marijuana to an alleged police crime
code for drug arrests to the time of
day a group of California teens
congregated to smoke up in the
1960s.
| 4-20: Did You Know That This Is More Than Just a Date? |
Whatever the actual origins of 420, many teens now know April 20th as the
day to smoke marijuana. So parents should be especially mindful of
monitoring for drug use on this day in particular.
Marijuana: Then and Now
So you tried pot at some point in your life and think you'll feel like a hypocrite
telling your teen not to use? Get over it. It's important to talk about your
experiences to help your children learn from them. Be honest and emphasize
that this discussion is about your child's future and not about your past.
Marijuana today is more potent than it was a generation ago and more kids
are using it at a younger age, when their bodies and minds are still
developing. Talk to your teens. Kids who learn about marijuana and other
drugs from their parents are less likely to use them.
Tell your teens how to say no, even if you didn't.
day to smoke marijuana. So parents should be especially mindful of
monitoring for drug use on this day in particular.
Marijuana: Then and Now
So you tried pot at some point in your life and think you'll feel like a hypocrite
telling your teen not to use? Get over it. It's important to talk about your
experiences to help your children learn from them. Be honest and emphasize
that this discussion is about your child's future and not about your past.
Marijuana today is more potent than it was a generation ago and more kids
are using it at a younger age, when their bodies and minds are still
developing. Talk to your teens. Kids who learn about marijuana and other
drugs from their parents are less likely to use them.
Tell your teens how to say no, even if you didn't.
How can you monitor for marijuana use? Follow these
four easy steps:
1. Look online. Talk to your teen about pro-drug messages they might find on
sites like Facebook and YouTube. Many teens form groups and recruit
members online who are proponents of certain drugs or risky behaviors.
2. Listen for slang and look out for paraphernalia. If you hear terms like 420,
bake, Mary, bud, blunt, etc., or see them in text messages, call your teen on it.
Likewise if you see makeshift pipes or bongs disguised to look like harmless
trinkets, it's time for a larger discussion about drug use.
3. Ask who, what, where, and when. You should always know the details
about your teen's whereabouts, but pay special attention on April 20 as many
teens plan to meet for the "holiday celebration."
4. Watch and smell for signs of use. Red and bloodshot eyes are a symptom
of marijuana use, so be on the lookout for recently opened eye drops. A
distinct odor is another sign - even if your teen was just hanging out with
other people who were smoking. If you detect smoke, alcohol, etc., on your
teen's breath or clothes, it's time to talk about the dangers of such risky
behaviors.
four easy steps:
1. Look online. Talk to your teen about pro-drug messages they might find on
sites like Facebook and YouTube. Many teens form groups and recruit
members online who are proponents of certain drugs or risky behaviors.
2. Listen for slang and look out for paraphernalia. If you hear terms like 420,
bake, Mary, bud, blunt, etc., or see them in text messages, call your teen on it.
Likewise if you see makeshift pipes or bongs disguised to look like harmless
trinkets, it's time for a larger discussion about drug use.
3. Ask who, what, where, and when. You should always know the details
about your teen's whereabouts, but pay special attention on April 20 as many
teens plan to meet for the "holiday celebration."
4. Watch and smell for signs of use. Red and bloodshot eyes are a symptom
of marijuana use, so be on the lookout for recently opened eye drops. A
distinct odor is another sign - even if your teen was just hanging out with
other people who were smoking. If you detect smoke, alcohol, etc., on your
teen's breath or clothes, it's time to talk about the dangers of such risky
behaviors.