That's another question I want to talk to my child about—alcohol, drugs, opioids, that sort of thing. I'm a teacher, and I'm worried about how to talk about it.
And the second part of the question is: what wellness practices can I share instead of drugs? I was given that advice, but how?
That's a really good question. I like wellness advice, but I also like open conversation and role play. At some point, our children will be offered drugs or alcohol at a party or an event, and they'll have to make a decision—how will I respond?
As parents, we know today’s culture is exposing our children to all kinds of things. Role playing is a way to prepare them for those moments in a non-shaming way. You might say, “My interest is in your healing, health, strength, and well-being. Let’s talk about that. What does being your best self look like? What am I doing for my health? What are you doing?”
Then, put it into a real-world context. “At some point, you’ll be exposed to drugs or alcohol. I remember when I was your age, it happened to me. Here’s how I responded. I had to figure out my values because my parents weren’t there watching—I could’ve done whatever. But I had to decide what kind of person I wanted to be.”
You could also share helpful content, like a chapter from Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Chapter 10 covers substance use and what’s happening in colleges. Listen to that chapter with your child and discuss it. Help them understand how substances affect the body. Keep the conversation open and honest.
This kind of dialogue is powerful. Why? Because it’s mature and without judgment. You're creating awareness through relationship. Yes, education matters—but what matters more is that your child knows: I can talk to Mom or Dad about this. I’m not going to be shamed. They’ll listen. That’s what builds trust and understanding. That’s powerful.
