The 2 Critical Questions You Must Ask to Raise Drug Free Kids

Essential Strategy #5: Make A Plan & Write It Down

Mark Rogers | Convergence

People don't usually plan to fail, but fail to plan. Planning and being prepared may seem like sage old advice but asking the right questions is often overlooked when addressing the issue of raising drug free kids. In this post I will provide the two essential questions we must ask as parents in order to raise drug free kids. The truth is there can be a lot of angst for most parents when it comes to contemplating the possibility of our kids using drugs or abusing alcohol. Our initial reactions to the mere thought provokes mental images we just a soon go without, sometimes these thoughts can even lead us to experience anxiety.

It is difficult to come to grips with the fact that if we have kids then we have a drug problem, facing this reality is no easy task but as parents we know we must do the hard stuff.

But we do have a drug problem if we have kids. The drug culture, legalization and easy access in our modern American culture is so prevalent there can be no denying we must respond accordingly if we want to help protect our kids from the devastating consequences associated with drug and alcohol use. This is why answering the two most essential questions early can make all the difference in the world when raising drug free kids and building thriving families.

The two critically important questions are; first, do you have a written plan to drug proof your kids? And the second question is, does the plan address the seven critical areas and cover the ages and stages of each child? If the answer to either of these two questions in part or in full is 'NO' then the plan lacks the essential elements of prevention and is grossly inadequate to prepare your children for the future. We are long past the days of gateway drugs, harmless experimentation, far from it. We are in a time where first time drug can and does lead to overdose death. The days of youth desiring to blow off some steam are gone, we are in the days of one time use overdose deaths are occurring much more often than are ever reported.

What is the solution? Without question the solution is prevention. The prevention side of the equation vs. the intervention side is the best approach to solve the problem. And why wait? If we as parents are dealing with the problem from the intervention side we will always be working from behind and quite frankly it will almost be impossible to make corrections without experiencing some really tough consequences. Working from the prevention side of things allows you get out front and maintain appropriate control and influence when it counts the most.

So when do we begin addressing the problem and what is exactly the best way to go about it? If you have made it here then you have made it to the right spot. After years of working in the medical model (the intervention side) and also in the non-profit sector with thousands of families for several decades we have discovered a better way, prevent the problem before it begins. Instead of waiting for the problem to arise, or holding our breath thinking no news is good news, we can say it is far better to prevent the problem before it even has a chance to rear its ugly head. Once the problem arises and becomes visible or bad news breaks, the problem is by no means fresh and has taken root a long time ago. It is already challenging enough as a parent let alone trying to navigate the drug and alcohol problem from the intervention side.

Start today by making a commitment to writing a drug proof plan for your kids and making sure it addresses the seven critical areas including the ages and stages of each child.

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