Fentanyl and other illegally manufactured synthetic opioids have made the danger of experimenting with drugs even more deadly than ever before. A recent New York Times article detailed how best to talk to today’s adolescents about fentanyl and the danger relating to experimentation in a way that will resonate with them.
A key theme touched upon is the importance of being truthful so today’s youth understand the real risks associated with experimentation, not in a way to scare them, but to educate them so they can understand why leading a healthy lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol is important.
A cornerstone of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) is encouraging family communication, with PDFNJ research finding that parents who talk to their kids for at least 15 minutes a day, have children who are 67 percent less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
I urge all of you to take a few minutes to read this article to learn the best way to confront this difficult topic. Spend some time talking to your loved ones about what they are involved in, and who they spend time with. Be the person they can turn to if they are approached to experiment with drugs or alcohol. This open communication will address issues before they arise and can be the key to saving lives.