| The drug called Ecstasy/MDMA is just one of | | | | - And becoming involved in their learning. |
| several that children as young as 8th graders are | | | | The importance of this parent-child relationship |
| abusing. Ecstasy is a human-made drug taken | | | | continues through adolescence and beyond. |
| orally as a capsule or tablet. The short-term | | | | Below are some resources to help you find drug |
| effects include feelings of mental stimulation, | | | | prevention programs: |
| emotional warmth, enhanced sensory perception, | | | | - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) |
| and increased physical energy. Adverse health | | | | - National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
| effects can include nausea, chills, sweating, teeth | | | | - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred vision. | | | | (DHHS) |
| If you suspect or find out your child is actually | | | | - Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) |
| abusing this drug or is involved in any kind of drug | | | | - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services |
| abuse what steps can you take to help them | | | | Administration (SAMHSA), DHHS Phone: |
| overcome the addictions? | | | | 301-443-9110 |
| A family-based prevention program should include: | | | | - Centers for Disease Control and |
| 1. Enhanced family bonding and relationships; | | | | Prevention (CDC), DHHS |
| 2. Education for parents to learn parenting skills; | | | | Phone: 404-639-3534 |
| 3. Developing, discussing and enforcing family | | | | Phone: 800-311-3435 (toll-free) |
| policies on substance abuse; | | | | - Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program |
| 4. Training in drug education and information. | | | | U.S. Department of Education (DoE) |
| What is family bonding? | | | | Phone: 800-872-5327 (toll-free) |
| Family bonding is the foundation of the relationship | | | | - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) |
| between parents and children. You can strengthen | | | | U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) |
| your family bonds through skills training on parent | | | | Phone: 202-307-1000 |
| supportiveness of children, parent-child | | | | - Knowledge Exchange Network, SAMHSA, DHHS |
| communication, and parental involvement. | | | | Phone: 800-789-2647 (toll-free) |
| One of the cornerstones for drug abuse | | | | - National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and |
| prevention is parental monitoring and supervision. | | | | Drug Information (NCADI), SAMHSA, DHHS |
| As a parent you can enhance your parenting skills | | | | Phone: 800-729-6686 (toll-free) |
| with drug prevention program training. | | | | - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and |
| Benefits of participating in a drug prevention | | | | Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, DHHS |
| program are: | | | | Phone: 301-443-3860 |
| - Being able to provide consistent rules and | | | | - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, |
| discipline for your child; | | | | DHHS |
| - Ability to talk to your children about drugs; | | | | Phone: 301-443-4513 |
| - Techniques of how to monitor your children's | | | | As a parent you need to educate yourself as |
| activities; | | | | much as possible about drug abuse, stay in touch |
| - Techniques of how to get to know your | | | | with your children's activities, and listen to their |
| children's friends; | | | | problems and concerns. |
| - Techniques of how to understand your children's | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource |
| problems and concerns; | | | | box. |