Here are five websites that can help start that dialogue with your teen:
1. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Canada's leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital has a whole page devoted to information about drugs and addiction that can be useful for both parents and teens. The site also provides multilingual resources with a section on understanding addiction.
2. The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission: This comprehensive site has a section for parents who are seeking ways to address a variety of issues with their kids, including drug use. The youth area provides facts on drugs and addiction as well as a section called Express Yourself where teens can communicate their adolescent angst through stories, poetry and art.
3. Kids Help Phone: Children of any age can anonymously call a counsellor or ask a counsellor a question online 24/7 through this bilingual, national service. A Topic Library links to a section called Becoming a Young Adult with information on drugs and alcohol.
4. The McCreary Centre Society: This small, non-profit organization, concerned with the health of young people in British Columbia, has a Youth Advisory Council and provides colourful fact sheets on a variety of issues, including Facts about Substance Use. Note: You may be prompted to enter your name and e-mail address to download the PDF.
There is no easy way to bring up sensitive subjects with your teen. But the message you want to send to your child is: this is a real topic, it's safe to talk about together and you won't be judging them, says Dr. Walker. "If your child discloses drug and/or alcohol use, as shocking as this may or may not be to you, your child trusts you enough to share. Build on that trust, create a safety plan and reach out to people in your community who are trained to help you."
