How to Teach Your Child to Avoid Drugs

1. Be clear in your own mind on exactly why drugs are dangerous and why people still use them. Know what can they do to an individual physically and psychologically? What kind of people have used drugs? What kind of people still use illegal drugs? Know both the good and the bad, for example, what do some people claim drugs do spiritually?
2. Do your best to instill self-confidence within your child as they grow up. A happy, comfortable and confident child with good self-esteem is in a better place to resist peer pressure when offered drugs.
3. Sit down and talk with your children about illegal drug use once a year from age 10 and up. They may not want to talk about it, but coming up to them and straight-out telling them it's bad, and why, can be a big help.
4. Talk to them about peer pressure. Let them know it's all right to say "No," even if it means a loss in friendship (although in that case, that person may not have ever been their "friend" in the first place).
5. Give them examples of great people who were destroyed by drugs, people who died from overdoses, it will show them nobody is indestructible.