Harford is Talking - Are You?

No matter where you are, it is always a good time to talk to your kids about difficult situations, including the subject of drugs, alcohol, smoking, and mental health.  Within this site you will find questions and tips to ask your children about what they know and how to practice refusal skills in difficult situations.

For example, start an age appropriate talk with your child about:

• What does a drug dealer look like to you? 
  Talk about strangers; what to accept from other people; and how those close to us try and get us to try things that may not be safe.
• Do you know who your children's friends are?
  Ask about the people in their lives who may have an influence on them.
• Do you know what refusal skills are?
  Help your child learn ways to say "NO" to people when they want them to do things they don't want to do.
• Do you know if your child has been exposed to drugs?
  Ask your child about what they have been exposed to  at school or around their friends.
• What do you know about drugs?
  Ask your child about drugs to find out what they know and what they may have questions about.
• Do you know the difference between legal and illegal drugs?
  Discus the difference of legal and illegal drugs and the dangers of both.
• Do you know the dangers of legal drugs?
  Discus the potential dangers of medicines from a doctor and why they should never take medicine that is not for them.
• Do you know the dangers of the drugs in your home?
  Talk to your child about alcohol, over the counter medicine, and prescription drugs they may be exposed to at home.
• Do you know how to safely store your prescription drugs and dispose of any unused portion?
  Use countywide drop off boxes (Link)
• Does your child know they can talk to you?
  Let your child know that they can talk to you about drugs or any peer pressure they might experience.