Spot the Signs, Share the Talk

Instructions: Read each scenario or sign below. In the space provided, briefly describe:

1. What would be your immediate concern?
2. How would you approach a conversation with your child about this?
3. What resources or support might you seek?

Scenario 1: Behavioral Changes

Your child, who used to be very engaged in school and extracurriculars, has suddenly become withdrawn, secretive, and shows a significant drop in grades. They are also staying out later than usual and are vague about where they've been.

1. Immediate Concern:
   
   
   
   

2. How to Approach the Conversation:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Resources/Support:
   
   
   
   

Scenario 2: Physical/Emotional Changes

You notice a change in your child's physical appearance (e.g., bloodshot eyes, unexplained weight loss/gain, new friends you don't know). They also seem more irritable, anxious, or have sudden mood swings.

1. Immediate Concern:
   
   
   
   

2. How to Approach the Conversation:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Resources/Support:
   
   
   
   

Scenario 3: Paraphernalia/Unusual Items

You discover unfamiliar items in your child's room, such as pipes, rolling papers, small bags, or strange odors. Your child dismisses your concerns or becomes defensive.

1. Immediate Concern:
   
   
   
   

2. How to Approach the Conversation:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Resources/Support:
   
   
   
   

Scenario 4: Direct Observation/Confession

Your child's friend confides in you that they saw your child using a substance, or your child directly tells you they've experimented with drugs.

1. Immediate Concern:
   
   
   
   

2. How to Approach the Conversation:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Resources/Support:
   
   
   
   

Facilitator Script: Guiding the Conversation

Introduction (3 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Good evening, everyone, and welcome! Thank you for taking the time to join us for 'Drug Awareness: Parent Power.' My name is [Your Name], and I'll be facilitating our session today.

(Teacher): "We're here to spend about 15 minutes discussing a really important topic: drug awareness and how we, as parents, can best support our children. This is a safe space for us to learn from each other and share strategies."

(Teacher): "Take a look at our first slide, Slide Deck: Drug Awareness Parent Power titled 'Drug Awareness: Parent Power.' Our goal for today is to help you identify common signs of potential substance use, understand why open communication is so vital, and equip you with some practical ways to talk about drugs with your kids. Why is this important? Because you are your child's most powerful influence, and proactive conversations can make all the difference."

Spot the Signs, Share the Talk Activity (7 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Now, let's move into a brief activity. I'm going to hand out or display our Activity: Spot the Signs, Share the Talk worksheet. On it, you'll find a few scenarios related to potential signs of drug use. I'd like you to work individually or with a partner for about 5 minutes. For each scenario, think about three things:

• What would be your immediate concern?
• How would you approach a conversation with your child about this?
• What resources or support might you seek?

(Teacher): "Feel free to jot down your thoughts. This isn't about right or wrong answers, but about thinking through real-life situations."

Give parents 5 minutes to work on the activity. Circulate and offer support as needed.

(Teacher): "Alright, let's bring it back together. Would anyone like to share their thoughts on one of the scenarios? Perhaps what stood out to you, or a challenge you identified?" Encourage brief sharing from 2-3 parents. Guide the discussion back to the slide, Slide 3: Spot the Signs, Share the Talk.

Open Communication Strategies Discussion (4 Minutes)

(Teacher): "Thank you for those insightful shares. It's clear this is a topic with many layers. Let's shift our focus now to the 'how'—how do we have these conversations effectively? We're on Slide 4: From Signs to Solutions: Open Communication and then Slide 5: Strategies for Talking About Drugs."

(Teacher): "I have some prompts from our Discussion Guide: Open Communication Strategies to get us started. First, what do you think is the biggest barrier to open communication with teenagers about sensitive topics like drugs?"

Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion. Encourage parents to offer solutions or personal experiences.

(Teacher): "That's a great point. It often comes down to creating trust and a safe space. What are some ways you've found effective in encouraging your child to open up to you, even about difficult subjects?"

Allow 1-2 minutes for discussion.

(Teacher): "Wonderful suggestions! Remember, it's about being proactive, listening more, being honest, setting clear expectations, and modeling healthy choices yourselves. These are all on Slide 5: Strategies for Talking About Drugs."

Conclusion & Resources (1 Minute)

(Teacher): "As we wrap up, let's look at our final slide, Slide 6: Your Influence Matters. Keep Talking.. The key takeaways are to stay informed, prioritize open communication, and be a consistent source of support. You truly are your child's most powerful influence."

(Teacher): "Thank you again for your active participation. If you have any further questions or need resources, please don't hesitate to speak with me after the session or reach out to [mention specific school/community resources, if applicable]. Keep those conversations going at home!"

End of Session

Open Communication Strategies: Group Discussion

Instructions: Use these prompts to facilitate a group discussion among parents. Encourage sharing of experiences, concerns, and successful strategies.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Breaking the Ice: What do you find most challenging about talking to your child about sensitive topics, particularly drugs?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Creating a Safe Space: What are some practical ways parents can create an environment where their children feel comfortable opening up about difficult issues without fear of judgment?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Active Listening: How can parents demonstrate active listening when their child is sharing something important, even if it's uncomfortable to hear?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Age-Appropriate Conversations: At what age do you think it's appropriate to start talking about drugs with children, and how might those conversations differ for younger vs. older children?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Dealing with Peer Pressure: What advice or strategies have you discussed with your children regarding peer pressure and making healthy choices?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Setting Boundaries: How do you balance showing trust with setting clear boundaries and consequences related to substance use?