You Could Lose Me to Drugs or Alcohol

[If you have not done so, please take our Billboard Campaign Poll]

Don’t think it won’t happen to your child. Youth who are involved in drugs are reporting that they start with tobacco and alcohol and elementary and middle school. Prevention should start with parents. Don’t assume they know your beliefs and values about not using drugs.

The good news is that parents have a major influence in their child’s life. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, research has shown that two-thirds of teens say that losing their parents’ respect and pride is one of the main reason they don’t use drugs. You matter and can make a difference. Some suggestions we have are:

1. Plan “together time.” This does not need to be something that costs money. Your time is more valuable. Watching “their” TV shows will give opportunities. Playing “their” video games is another idea. How about their music? There are websites where you can find the lyrics to their music.
2. Eat meals together. Research shows that eating at least 5 meals together a week as a family decreases the risk of your child engaging in risk behaviors. These do not need to “fancy” meals. It is the time that is important.
3. Listen. Ask questions and be willing to hear the answers.
4. Talk. Do this often and when there is not a crisis. Times like driving in the car, taking a walk. Look for the times to talk and make it happen.
5. Look for the teachable moments. For example, we cannot shelter them from all the media influences, but we can help them navigate them.
6. Use open questions/statements. Some: “What do you think?’ “That’s a good question.” “Help me understand.”
7. Give honest answers. If you don’t know the answers, tell them you will find out.
8. Role play with your child. This may be one of the most important things you can do. If they are prepared to handle a situation before it happens, the better they will be able to avoid drugs.
9. Be clear about your values. Again, don’t assume they know how disappointed you would be if they used drugs, tell them.
10. Set limits. This is better to do early on. Don’t wait until a problem happens.

Thank You Fairway!

District 2 Public Health Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program and the Drug Free Coalition of Hall County have joined together to raise awareness about drug and alcohol use in our community. Billboards with key educational messages about substance abuse will be posted at locations throughout Hall County.

In keeping with the Coalition’s goal of reducing substance abuse among youth, members of the Coalition proposed over twenty short, one-line messages aimed at parents. The parent messaging workgroup of the Coalition narrowed the list of parental messages to six; two of which are translated into Spanish.

Fairway Outdoor Advertising has contracted with the Coalition for the provision of $40,000 of in-kind billboard space over the next twelve months. There are a total of eight parental messages from the Coalition that Fairway has agreed to begin posting as billboards throughout Hall County. “Fairway is pleased to donate the use of our signs to promote the efforts of the Drug Free Coalition. Their messages are vital to get to parents and adults in the community and we are glad to facilitate this effort as a part of our public service initiatives in Gainesville/Hall County,” said, Steve Guild, General Manager, Fairway Outdoor Advertising.

Thank you, Fairway!

Poll: What do you think?

Fairway Outdoor Advertising has contracted with the Coalition for the provision of $40,000 of in-kind billboard space. There are a total of eight parental messages from the Coalition that Fairway has begun to post throughout Hall County. If you have seen the billboards, we ask that you sound off, answering the poll below.