Take Action in Secondary Schools
SECTION V:
Communicating About Prevention
Parent Involvement
Parents are important players in efforts around substance use and abuse. They have influence by spending time with and monitoring their children, providing positive role modelling and demonstrating that alcohol and drugs are not a necessary part of a fulfilling life.
Involving parents is crucial to the development of a healthy school environment. There are many ways that parents can become involved. Here are a few examples:
Piggyback on events that your school already does to bring parents in. For example, during parent/teacher interviews invite agencies and partners in to set up displays on their services and educate them about substance use and abuse. During this time, you can book a speaker to come in after the interview to speak to parents about adolescent substance use
- Work with your local health agency to host a parenting skills workshop in order to create awareness about substance use and abuse among adolescents.
- Arrange speakers for school council meetings
- Work with the local health department to survey the parents about their concerns with substance use among adolescents
- Partner with the school council to organize family nights to talk about issues that are of concern with parents. Remember to involve external community partners
- Partner with a local agency to develop an information sheet for parents that can be sent home with report cards
- Encourage parents to get involved with the promotion and staging of certain school events (e.g., National Students Against Impaired Driving, National Drug Awareness Week, National Non- Smoking Week, World No Tobacco Day, etc.)
- Post a "tips for parents" section on your school website to educate parents on substance use and abuse in adolescents. Items might include how to talk to your child, signs and symptoms of drug use, certain types of drugs, etc.
