Talk to your kids
early and often
about alcohol and other drugs.
What is the best way to keep your kids from drinking and using drugs?
It could be as simple as talking early and talking often. The “Talk Early, Talk Often” campaign is organized by the SUP Coalition to educate and empower parents and caregivers to have ongoing conversations with the young people in their lives around drugs and alcohol.
Research has shown that although it may seem like kids aren’t listening — they really are. Parents are role models for kids and your views on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can strongly influence how they think about them. Make talking about drugs a part of your general health and safety conversations — starting as early as elementary age and continuing on from there.
Talk Early Toolkit: all 4 volumes have been released
VAPING FOCUS
Today’s e-cigarettes are more addictive than traditional cigarettes, causing heightened concerns for parents, communities and health officials.
Addictive qualities of e-cigarettes are measured by the amount of nicotine that is contained in e-cigarette juice or pre-filled pods and the flavors used.
In a 2015 study, 99 percent of e-cigarette products sold contained nicotine. In a standard pack of cigarettes, there is about 20 mg of nicotine (1 mg of nicotine per cigarette). In a Puff Bar, a popular disposable vape device, there is about 50 mg of nicotine. which is equivalent to 50 cigarettes or 2.5 packs.
This high amount of nicotine can change brain chemistry, making youth more susceptible to addiction and negatively affecting memory and attention span, after only a few days or weeks of use. These effects may last a long time or even be permanent.
About 1 in 5 MN high school students reported vaping in the past month on the 2020 MN Youth Tobacco Survey. Students' report vaping more frequently than they had been previously, which can be a sign of dependence.
Learn more about the dangers of using e-cigarettes and other vape devices by viewing our short 5-minute video on “8 Things to Know About Vaping” along with an associated Discussion Guide.
Campaign Resources:
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Vaping Signage
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Posters (print copies available)
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Table Tents (print copies available)
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Click and scroll through the photos to see what's
hiding in plain sight!
Our friends at Clearway MN created two helpful interactive photos to demonstrate just how difficult it can be to spot vaping devices among their supplies.
Additional Resources:
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How do I Help My Teen Stop Smoking or Vaping? (My Life, My Quit)
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping (American Lung Association)
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How to Talk With Your Kids About Vaping Guide (Partnership to End Addiction)
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Should I Talk to My Kids About Vaping? (Physician Advocacy Network)
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Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents (CDC)
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Talking With Your Teen About Vaping: Keeping Your Kids Safe (brochure) (SAMHSA)
marijuana FOCUS
Today’s marijuana is more potent than the marijuana that was available to a generation ago. Potency is measured by the amount of the mind-altering chemical, THC, that is contained in marijuana.
Products popular with teen users like oils (in vape carts) and edibles often contain an average of 50% up to 90% THC. In contrast, leaf marijuana in the 1990's averaged 4% THC. The mild euphoric feelings using marijuana left someone in the 1990’s have now been replaced by some users reporting being in catatonic states or hallucinating after using small amounts. The level of THC in marijuana varies and determines the multitude of effects on the body and the brain.
We continue to see fluctuations in student usage. In 2022, approximately 14 percent of Sherburne County high school juniors reported past month marijuana use on the MN Student Survey. The same year also saw lower rates in perceived harm and less disapproval of use among parents.
Unfortunately, developing brains are more prone to damage. The part of the brain which controls reasoning and impulses, known as the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully developed until the mid-to-late 20s. Marijuana use can reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions. These effects may last a long time or even be permanent.
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Marijuana Misperceptions
Legal responses to marijuana use across the nation have left many feeling confused about this drug.
Paul Fischer and Francine Kosse, two Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors with M Health Fairview, dispel some of the myths surrounding marijuana use and share how it can negatively impact those that use it, especially youth.
Resources:
As part of the campaign, 5 videos were filmed with help from local adult and youth residents to bring awareness to a variety of topics.
Three videos display common parent-child scenarios designed to provide examples of how to respond during certain situations and how using opportune times to talk allows you to initiate more ongoing conversations.
Two videos enlisted help from local law enforcement to discuss the importance of Social Host Ordinances and how they benefit our community as well as local healthcare professionals to dispel some of the myths surrounding youth marijuana use (as seen above).
Car Talk:
Use natural opportunities such as driving (or riding) somewhere or during dinner to start open, honest conversations about drinking and other drug use.
Seek discussion, don't lecture! Share your own experiences and opinions and how they have changed over the years. As you are willing to open-up and share experiences, so will your child.
Checking-In:
Text messaging is a great way for parents to keep in touch and monitor what their children are doing without being obtrusive. Teens are more likely to respond to texts that facilitate short, quick responses rather than answering a phone call.
Confrontation vs. Conversation:
Finding out your teen used drugs definitely stirs up a parent's emotions. It can be a very confusing time. But the best way to help your teen - and to make sure they hear you - is to remain as calm as possible throughout the conversation. Also, it's as important, if not more, that you listen to them.
Do not try to start the conversation when you can tell your child is drunk or high. Hold off until they are sober. You want to be able to have a conversation, rather than a confrontation.
Social Host Ordinances (SHO):
What is a Social Host Ordinance? What isn't it? Why is it important?
These are a few of the questions we often get asked.
We enlisted help from local law enforcement to answer these important questions.
Learn more about our Social Host Ordinances here.
Parents are the most powerful influence in a child’s life. Talk early and often about the risks, set clear rules against drug use, and enforce reasonable consequences for breaking the rules.
Additional Resources to Help Start or Continue the Conversations:
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Conversation Starters for Talking with Your Teen (also available in Spanish)
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Seven Tips for Connecting with Your Teen (also available in Spanish)
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Talking With Teens About Positive Values: How You Make a Difference