It seems as though kids are experimenting with drugs and alcohol at younger and younger ages. No longer is it primarily a high school problem, sadly it is also an elementary school problem.

Kids are getting high on drugs that were never even around when you were school age yourself. It is a different world from when you grew up and the more informed you are, the better off you will be. This article will give you some effective tips to help your kids abstain from using and abusing drugs.

If you are not involved in any aspect of your child’s life, you really should be. Knowing their friends and parents of their friends is important, to get a good idea of who your child is surrounding themselves with.

Talk to teachers, principals and coaches regularly. These types of people in your child’s life can provide helpful information about your child’s moods and behavior. The more you know about your child’s life, the more likely you will be able to spot when something is amiss.

Openly talk to your kids about drugs in your household. Explain the dangers that accompany drug use, but try not to over exaggerate them. Exaggerating the consequences of using drugs can end up back-firing in your face. Explaining to your child that drugs such as heroine and cocaine can kill you is a justifiable statement.

You can also help your child relate by naming off all of the famous people who have lost their lives to drugs. Telling your child that they will also die from smoking marijuana is an exaggeration that you might want to avoid.

Instead tell them about how marijuana can effect their grades, sports and can make them not enjoy things that they used to. Keeping it real with your kids is a smart idea that they will appreciate.

It is important that you lead by example. If you use drugs or drink excessive amounts of alcohol yourself, it will be hard for your kid to take you seriously. If you are an alcoholic or addict yourself, your child is automatically at a higher risk to be one themselves.

Lead by example and get the help that you need to overcome your sickness, and show your child a strong role model. You might believe that you can hide your drug use from your child, but kids are very perceptive and smart. Watching how hard it is to get help and off drugs is sometimes all a child needs to see to never try them.

With so many children bringing drugs to school, they are being exposed to it at younger and younger ages. The best thing you can do as a parent is to be proactive. Talk to your children about drugs, what they are exactly and the negative impact they can have on their young life. Keep the lines of communication open and make sure your kids know that they can always come to you with questions or for advice.