During the summer season, many young people in the tri-state are working full or part time, gaining valuable life experiences that will prepare them for a productive future. However, even with this new found independence, parents must be sure that their kids remain alcohol and drug free.
Data collected by the Coalition in its bi-annual student drug use survey indicates that students in the Greater Cincinnati area who report working full or part time also tend to have higher regular use rates for alcohol and drugs. In 2008, comparing students who work (full or part time) to their counterparts who do not work, regular use rates for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana doubles among those who work.
“Kids who work have a number of factors that may push them towards using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs,” said Holly J. Molony, President/ Executive Director, Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati. “For example, they now have money and newfound independence, which are great things. A job brings challenges as well, such as stress, time management needs, and the exposure to older co-workers. Youth may see drugs and alcohol use as more acceptable and accessible as they learn to navigate the workplace.”
Parents Can Prevent Use
Even though they are entering the work world, youth still need guidance and support from their parents in making healthy choices. One of the first steps in the battle is for parents to have ongoing conversations about the harms of alcohol use and to set clear rules and expectations about non-use of alcohol. In fact, youth who report that their parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol are 62% less likely to use, according to the survey.
Further, it is important for parents to convey to children that they do not approve of alcohol or drug use. For parents of youth who are in the workplace, there are several ways to support healthy choices, such as setting limits on car usage, maintaining family rules about parties and curfews, asking about who they will be out with, helping them effectively save and manage the money they’ve earned, and giving them help in responding to pressure from peers or older adults who may have legal access to tobacco or alcohol.
These tips and more can be found in the Coalition’s Parent’s Guide for Talking to Kids about Drugs. The booklet is filled with conversation starters on having age-appropriate discussions on drugs and alcohol with children from preschool through college age. It is available on the Coalition’s website at www.DrugFreeCincinnati.org or by calling (513) 751-8000.
“Getting that first job and entering the work world is a huge step in a teen’s life,” noted Molony. “However, with this burgeoning independence, youth still need guidance and boundaries to make healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.”
