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Welcome to Parents: You Matter, the key presentation of the Parents360 program. This slidecast is narrated by Tom Hedrick, founding member of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. Parents: You Matter can be delivered live in your community find out how at drugfree.org/parents360

Welcome to “Parents: You Matter” We’re all here today because we’re concerned about kids. We want them to grow up to be happy, healthy and safe, which includes helping them avoid the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. “Parents: You Matter” allows us to share information with you from a number of perspectives – law enforcement, prevention, health, and treatment - to provide you with an understanding of the drug and alcohol issues kids face today, and how we, as parents, can help. We don’t have a blueprint for perfect parenting. What we do have is a rich collection of information, based on the latest prevention science and real world experience from parents who have had to deal with their kids’ drug and alcohol problems. Most of the information in this today’s event applies to all drug and alcohol issues, but in each presentation, we also focus on a specific drug.

We will start with two public service announcements from the Partnership at Drugfree.org. The first one you are about to see shows you how the drug, ecstasy, changed the Heird family forever.

The Heird family – Danielle’s parents – chose to share their daughter’s story, because they do not want any parent to go through what they went through. And that’s really the reason for this event: we don’t want to lose any child to drugs and alcohol; to addictions or accidents. We want to take action to prevent what happened to the Heirds from happening to any other family.

The Heird family – Danielle’s parents – chose to share their daughter’s story, because they do not want any parent to go through what they went through. And that’s really the reason for this event: we don’t want to lose any child to drugs and alcohol; to addictions or accidents. We want to take action to prevent what happened to the Heirds from happening to any other family.

One important point to make up front: When we use the word “parent,” we are talking about anyone and everyone who is a caring presence in a child’s life – grandparents, aunts and uncles, even big brothers and sisters. When we say the word “parent” we are talking about you.

During today’s event, we will talk about why your role is so important; some of the reasons why kids use drugs and alcohol; and most importantly, specific ways you can protect your child. We’ll give you tips on how to communicate with your kids and monitor their activities, how to spot drug/alcohol use and what you should do when you find it.

As parents, sometimes when we’re talking to our kids it can feel we’re talking to a brick wall. But is important for you to know what the science and research tell us: parents do matter. Kids who learn about the dangers of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than kids who don’t. And parents matter because when kids need help, it is their parents or other concerned adults in their life who make the difference. And 2 million kids in America do need help – and most don’t get it.

Taking action during the teenage years is especially important. Most kids who use drugs/alcohol will not develop a problem or suffer serious consequences, but the facts show that 9 out of 10 people who do develop a problem started using as teens. The flip side of that issue is some very good news: a child who gets through their teen years without abusing drugs or alcohol is highly unlikely to develop a problem as an adult. Furthermore, the later we can delay first use, the less likely a child is to develop a problem. So, as you can see, you do matter.

PARENTS: YOU MATTER Drugs/Alcohol, Your Teen and YOU

Narrated by Tom Hedrick, Founding Member of The Partnership at Drugfree.org Parents: You Matter can be delivered live in your community. Learn how at www.drugfree.org/parents360 Welcome to Parents: You Matter

PARENTS: YOU MATTER Drugs/Alcohol, Your Teen and YOU

video title goes here THE HEIRD FAMILY

video title goes here THE HEIRD FAMILY *

video title goes here THE HEIRD FAMILY

PARENTS Moms and dads Grandparents Aunts and uncles Close family friends Mentors Other caregivers The presence of a caring adult in a child’s life

Today’s Presentation Why YOU matter Why DO kids use drugs/alcohol? What YOU can do Communicate – 4 Tips to Help Monitor – 6 Tips to Help How to spot drug/alcohol use What to do if you spot drug/alcohol use

Why YOU matter You matter because you can help your child avoid getting involved in drugs/alcohol You matter because you can help your child get help if they need it The Partnership at Drugfree.org, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2008; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The NSDUH Report, 2006

- But - 9 out of 10 people with a drug/alcohol problem started using as a teen… … a child who gets through her/his teen years without abusing drugs or alcohol is highly unlikely to develop a problem as an adult

Please continue to “Part 2 – Why Kids Use”