What Parents Can Do
Talk to your kids about marijuana and other drugs.
• Start early! Talk often. Kids who use marijuana often start in their early teens. In Oregon, about 15% of 8th graders and 40% of 11th graders report having tried marijuana.1 Parents should start an ongoing conversation about drugs before kids start middle school.
• Express a no use attitude. Children are more likely to use marijuana if their parents are supportive of marijuana use.
• Be positive. Be attentive, curious, respectful and understanding. Shame, anger, scare tactics or disappointment will be counter-productive.
• Give your child ways to say no to marijuana and other drugs. Ideas include role play, helping your child find words to refuse drug offers, and letting your child know its fine to walk away from someone, including a friend, who is offering drugs.
• Help your child deal with emotions. Especially during the teen years, many young people face strong emotions for the first time. Teens sometimes get depressed or anxious and might consider drug use to try to escape these feelings and forget problems. Explain that everyone has these feelings at times, so it is important for each person to learn how to express his feelings, cope with them, and face stressors in healthy ways that can help prevent or resolve problems.
• Get a professional evaluation. If you think your child is using drugs, tell your child's doctor your exact concerns. Your child's doctor can help.
Additional Resources
Marijuana Talk Kit for Parents
Parent's Guide to Preventing Underage Marijuana Use
Proper Storage of Marijuana
If you choose to use marijuana, it is best to store it in a place that is locked up or not accessible to children or teens. If you use edibles it is especially important to keep them carefully secured because it can be easy for a young person to mistake the edibles for regular food or candy. It is best to not use marijuana when you are around children and teens.