Spring Break Tips for Parents

Spring Break is an important time of year for many students, often considered a rite of passage. However, more teens than ever are putting themselves at risk during this time of year. Travel industry experts show that an estimated one in seven high school students under the age of 18 take unsupervised trips during Spring Break. Even teens who stay at home can be at risk. Unsupervised time, money to spend and peer pressure to “have fun” can be a recipe for risky behaviors, including drug use.

Surveys also show that girls are more vulnerable to the peer pressures, are often easier targets for date rape drugs and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors while unsupervised.

For more information on how to protect your teen during Spring Break, regardless of whether they are traveling or staying at home, visit TheAntiDrug.com.

Take Action for Your Teen’s Safety

1. SET RULES, especially no alcohol or drugs. Be specific about your expectations and establish consequences for breaking the rules. Also, speak candidly about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Read more>>

2. PREPARE your teen for travel. Give teens tips to protect themselves, such as using a buddy system when on a trip or at a party. Don’t hesitate to role play scenarios that might put your teen in difficult situations. Read more>>

3. KEEP MONITORING and ask questions. If traveling, know your teen’s itinerary, who will be supervising the group and 24-hour contact information. If staying at home this Spring Break, continue to monitor how your teen spends his/her unsupervised time. Read more>>

Encourage other parents to subscribe to this newsletter. Anyone can join the list by visiting TheAntiDrug.com and entering an e-mail address on the home page.

You have registered to receive biweekly e-mail notifications with parenting tips and strategies you can use to ensure that your child remains healthy and drug-free. Remember, when it comes to keeping kids drug-free, YOU MATTER.