Welcome

Addiction is preventable. We are offering a collection of tools and tips to guide parents and other influencing adults who would like to communicate effectively with children and youth about drugs and addictive behavior. Please check back often for the most current information.

Publications

These links provide facts that will help guide you and your children to a happy addiction-free life.

American Academy of Pediatrics
Healthy Children guide for talking with teens about drugs and alcohol
Prevention Starts with Parents guide to modeling positive behaviors
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America – a drug abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery resource
Time toTalk.org – resources for conversations about drugs and alcohol with teens in transition
Parents – The Anti-Drug – information, parenting advice, and conversation starters
Family Check Up - Positive parenting prevents drug abuse
Children Now – tips for talking with young children about drugs and alcohol

Link to Tips and Tools for Youth and Teens

FAMILY CHECKUP – A new resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Parents are often concerned about whether their children will start or are already using drugs and alcohol. These five questions, developed by the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon, highlight parenting skills that are important in preventing drug use among youth. Get your CHECKUP and learn how positive parenting prevents drug and alcohol abuse. Tools and Tips for Parents and Mentors are also available.

Talking to children about traumatic events and loss can be hard.
These resources can help you plan and have this important conversation.

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children And Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Parent Guidelines for Crisis Response, American Academy of Expert in Traumatic Stress.
Talking to Children About Disasters, American Academy of Pediatrics Parent Guide for Supporting Grieving Children, National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.

Coping with Crisis Situations
Resources for educators, health care providers, and community members from the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and the Prevention of Youth Violence.

The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse in Alaska, 2012 update
Alcohol and drug abuse cost Alaska’s economy $1.2 billion in 2010.The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control reports that, although substantial progress has been made over the past 20 years to reduce drinking and driving among teens, in 2011, one in 10 students age 16 years and older reported driving after drinking during the past 30 days. Most students who drove after drinking alcohol also binge drank. Read the report.