How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents

by Joseph A. Califano Jr.

Nearly every child will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school. The good news is that a child who gets to age twenty-one without smoking, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so...and kids who learn about drugs from their parents are much likelier to resist these temptations.

Based on nearly two decades of research at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, How to Raise a Drug-Free The Straight Dope for Parents offers advice and information on how to prepare your child for the crucial decision-making moments and on many of the most daunting parenting topics,
• When and how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol
• How to respond when your kid asks, "Did you do drugs?"
• How to know when your child is most at risk
• How to prepare your teen for the freedoms and perils of college

Genres: Self Help

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The original Straight Dope book has been updated to take into account the new round of drugs (kids are taking powder pills instead of smoking, for example, and newer 'fads' such as Molly) as well as the effect of social media. Relying on first person accounts from various parents over the years, medical and psychological experts, and latest findings from the scientific community, author Califano gives even more compelling reasons to keep kids off drugs.

The book is broken down into sections to make it easier for parents to reference. From what drugs are out there, symptoms or signs of use, dealing with peer pressure, parental responsibilities, and more. The crux of the book is definitely the parent and how instrumental and influential they are in keeping their children drug/alcohol free.

Each section has tips, statistics, and bullet points to really hone in on the points. The author noted that the biggest reason for the update is the overwhelming evidence of just how destructive early drug use can be to the brain - citing a lot of the recent findings. Any kind of controlled substance use will have very adverse affects on the mental and physical health of the user.

The book does read very much like a government pamphlet, tackling a serious subject with corresponding gravitas. But whether a parent suspects their child (or child's friend) of using alcohol or drugs or not, this is really required reading. Preferably, by middle school. Reviewed from an ARC.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book if you’re looking for something practical - I read it for my work in substance abuse prevention, as one of our initiatives deals with parents and “parental attitudes” towards youth substance use. The author has a lot of good practical advice and examples, but the book is lacking a sort of “second level” reflection that would have made it truly excel. It is contextualized, and the model of parenting feels both very American and very over-involved on the part of the parent. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t come from a family context where random searches of a high school teen’s room, or regularly reviewing a college age child’s finances for suspicious behavior would be considered normal. A little bit too fear-based for me, in terms of the perspective presented.

But the basics covered are quite solid, and match up with everything else I have read with evidence-based strategies: be involved in your kids life, set clear boundaries, talk about substance use, be aware of media and peer influence, respond well with both love and consequences if substance use is discovered, etc. Also contains some great resources for finding addiction recovery resources.

[Trisha Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unfortunate eye opener to the ridiculous availability of drugs in young children's lives. A great and basic guide to help raise children to stay away from drugs.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, but not really any new material. I was hoping for some unique ideas to help kids.