According to the Logan County Health District, parents have a significant influence on their children’s decision to experiment with alcohol and other drugs.
Although it may not seem like it, when parents talk about underage drinking and substance use, their children do hear them.
The Logan County Health District has partnered with SAMHSA to bring the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign to Logan County, with the aim to empower parents and caregivers to talk with children early about alcohol and other drug use.
High rates of youth alcohol use, shifting state laws regarding marijuana, and the nation’s opioid crisis are prevalent health concerns that affect America’s parents and caregivers.
Preventing underage alcohol and substance use is critical for the following reasons:
- Approximately 88,000 Americans die from alcohol-attributed causes each year, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
- An estimated 2.1 million people ages 12 or older have an opioid use disorder, and nearly 30 percent of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana
Over the next few months, residents will be seeing and hearing more from this campaign; including resources, tips, and tools to help foster these conversations between the
parents, caregivers, and youth of Logan County.
They are planning a Parent’s Night Out event at the Health District soon.
Want to get a head start? Download the “Talk. They Hear You” app in your App Store for access to tools like Screen4Success, tips for working “the talk” into everyday interactions, and discussion-starter videos.
