Smart & Safe Summer Fun!

 

Smart & Safe Summer Fun!

Summer is here - warm sunny days enjoying beach outings, barbecues, vacations and pool parties with family and friends. There are lots of great memories to make but long summer days may also present opportunities for kids to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This makes the start of summer a critical time for parents to talk with their kids, set clear expectations about behavior, and keep in close contact to help them stay safe, make smart decisions, and avoid risky situations.

According to statistics reported by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), key periods of social transition like summer break can present a risk factor for youth substance abuse. Teens and young adults often use substances for the first time during the months of June and July. It's important to recognize signs that youth might be experimenting. Clues may be hidden or be visible in plain sight. Parents need to know what to look for because, in today's world, there are many items that can be purchased online to hide substance use including JUUL e-cigarettes that look like USB flash drives, flasks disguised as sunscreen or lotion containers, smart phone cases, or event CBD gummy candies. The Good News is that there are resources available to help parents become more aware and learn to set firm guidelines for their children regarding acceptable choices and behaviors to help them navigate through summer months when socializing peaks!

* InnerAct Alliance has an informative resource available to educate parents of teens in our community. Offered in partnership with the Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc., the "Own the Upside...Avoid the Downside" trailer is a mobile, interactive exhibit housing a replica of a teens' bedroom. Parents can walk through to learn how to recognize clues signaling potential involvement in drugs and risky behaviors visible in plain sight or concealed in seemingly orginary belongings in the room. Civic groups and organizations may invite a representative to visit with the OTUS Trailer by calling the InnerAct Alliance office at (863) 802-077 or visiting our website to arrange a free presentation at 

https://www.owntheupsidepolk.com/

*Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership is a nonprofit organization that offers awesome parenting tips for talking to kis about alcohol and drugs as well as healthy living messages and information about the latest drug trends on its website at www.informedfamilies.org.

 *Keeping kids busy is another great preventive measure! Lakeland Mom offers a fantastic list of summer camps and activities available in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and across Polk County to help chase away the summer boredom and keep your child engaged in fun and healthy activities. The list includes camps for sports, aeronautical, swimming, gymnastics, martial arts, art, dance, STEM, as well as day camps, teen camps, and Vacation Bible School. Camps provide a perfect opportunity for kids to make new friends and learn something new while keeping them away from illegal substances. Visit Lakeland Mom at https://lakelandmom.com/summer-camp-directory/