Empower Parents
Background
Parents have a big influence on youth behavior
Youth who perceive that their parents would strongly disapprove of their use of marijuana are far less likely to have used it in the last month than youth who don’t receive such messages from their parents (4.3 percent versus 31 percent). [1]
When school prevention programs are supported by families, peers, and the community all sending the consistent message that drug use is not tolerated, it can have a powerful effect on young people. [2]
Parents Influence Use of Opioid Pain Medication
In many cases, doctors, dentists and oral surgeons are still prescribing opioids to teens more often than would be ideal. Many parents may not realize the risks. Helping educate parents may result in some parents working with medical care providers to reduces the prescription of opioid pain medication and pursue other options. This resource is targeting parents of student athletes.
Promising Programs
Safe Homes Network and App
Originated near Scottsdale, Arizona, Safe Homes Network is an application that allows parents to know where their kids are when they go to a party. When the child goes to a party the parent can check on the app. to see whether or not the house is registered in the directory. If so, parents can contact that head of house and make sure they know whether or not a party is occurring. The system is set up to act like a barrier for alcohol and drug consumption to happen under people's roofs. [3]
To become a Safe Homes member, you must:
1. Parents sign a pledge not to allow underage drinking or drug use in their home.
2. Parents' contact information is entered into the Safe Homes Network database.
3. Parents download the Safe Homes Network App to their phone or tablet and check it when their child is invited to a party or gathering where they don't know the parents.
Since the Fountain Hills, AZ coalition started the Safe Homes Network, there has been a 44 percent decrease in the past 30-day use of alcohol, a 37 percent decrease in marijuana use and a 51 percent decrease in prescription drug abuse.[4]
More information on Safe Homes Network
Gobi
Parent involvement is critical in preventing teen substance use. As a parent, it can be extremely difficult to talk about drug use with your kids in an engaging and effective way. Whether you suspect there's already a problem or you want to help make sure there is never a problem, Gobi can help.
Gobi is the only online prevention program designed by professionals and young adults for teens and their families. Gobi is based on the proven principles of professional drug and alcohol prevention. It’s designed specifically for teens, and it speaks their language—using a tool they already have in hand. Every day for 60 days teens get an email assignment on their smartphone and it takes only 5 minutes per day. Several times a week they get a supportive text message that is meant to be irreverent, humorous, cynical, and just offensive enough to keep them laughing (and engaged).
Parents are involved and get their own series of emails on adolescent development and communication skills. Teens will be asked five times to schedule a time to talk with their parents. Topics and guidelines will be included to make the conversation as successful as possible, and parents will also receive program support.
Teens Using Gobi Report: (Get source)
- Improved relationship with their parents
- A decrease in their use of drugs and alcohol
- Better ability to manage stress
- Increased awareness of their choices
Signing up for Gobi is free to use by both parents and youth.
More information on adopting the Gobi program
Drug Prevention Resources
Drug Prevention Resources has an abundance of tools and resources to help parents to reduce the likelihood of their kids using drugs.
Fathers' Uplift
Fathers' Uplift empowers fathers to overcome barriers and become positively engaged in their children's lives.[5]
Parent Education
DEA Books
The DEA produced two books, "Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Prevention" and "Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Abuse Medicine." Copies of each resource can be found in Tools & Resources.
Family Life's Art of Parenting
FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting FREE online course gives parents a simple vision and creative ways to make faith the core of their parenting.
Tools & Resources
TR - Empower & Strengthen Parents
Scorecard Building
Potential Objective Details
Potential Measures and Data Sources
Potential Actions and Partners
Resources to Investigate
RTI - Empower & Strengthen Parents
PAGE MANAGER: [insert name here]
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: [fill out table below]
| Reviewer | Date | Comments |
Sources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H-46, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4795 (Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013), www.samhsa.gov/data/ NSDUH/2012SummNatFindDetTables/NationalFindings/ NSDUHresults2012.htm#ch6.7.
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Heroin and Prescription Painkillers: A Toolkit for Community Action. 2016.
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