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Richard Ryan speaks about drug
awareness
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Richard Ryan
is an adolescent development specialist and parenting expert with more
than 20 years’ experience working in schools. He spoke to middle school
students about making good decisions and to their parents about helping
their children through the turbulent years of early adolescence.
Ryan asks students around the country, “When you make decisions, tell me what you factor in.” Their number one consideration, he says, is consequences. He believes, therefore, that consequences, when used appropriately, are an effective deterrent. When Ryan asked more than 1,700 17-year-olds what being 18 meant, they said overwhelmingly, “I can do what I want.” No one said anything about increased responsibility or the opportunity to vote. “In our culture,” says Ryan, “as long as you’re achieving, you’re succeeding. It doesn’t matter what kind of character you have. That’s a tragedy because we’re giving up the best part of our kids. Kids tell me they use alcohol or pot as a reward for getting their studies done. We prevent this by starting with kids when they are young and by setting rules and consequences early on.” How do you prepare for the fact that your children will increasingly be exposed to the risks of alcohol and drugs? Prevention and preparation, says Ryan. Talk to your kids. Spend time with your kids. Reinforce honesty. Fifth, sixth and seventh grades are “the age of irreverence” when kids verbally test boundaries, says Ryan. Parents need to make sure children remain respectful. Set limits, stick to the basic tenets and pick your important battles! Facts From Richard Ryan 85% of young people who experiment with alcohol get it at home. As 7th graders, 99% of students would tell their parents an older sibling is using pot. As 9th graders, fewer than 20% would do so. Addiction is a physical change. The brain believes the body truly needs the chemical. Addiction can be broken by separating the body from the drug for a sufficient period of time. Dependency is being “hooked on a high” emotionally; being addicted to the process of a mood change. This is harder to break. Not everyone is doing it. Fewer than half of high school sophomores have experimented with alcohol. More than anything, spend time with your children. Make sure your children are involved in at least two activities that support your values. Ask kids, “Where are you going?” “Who will you be with?” “What will you be doing?” “I know what time you’ll be home because you have a curfew.” Read Too Much of a Good Thing about over-indulging kids. Read Teens Under the Influence for an accurate portrayal of the progression of experimentation. |
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