Opening Lines of Communication

Giving Advice on Avoiding Risky Situations

Sometimes kids need the language to help them stay away from risky situations. Here are some lines you can provide your child. In addition, this is also an opportunity to get your kids to think for themselves. Ask them what they would say or do in risky situations. Then you can give your child examples from the ones listed below of what he can tell someone who uses drugs:

• “I like you, but I don’t like drugs.”
  
• “It makes me uncomfortable to be around drugs.”
  
• “I’d be happy to help you (go to a teacher, parent or other adult), but I can’t be around you when you use drugs.”
  
• “My dad (or mom, grandmother, etc.) would kill me if they knew I was around drugs.”
  
• “I’d get kicked off the team if I was caught around drugs.”

Here’s what your child can tell someone who offers them drugs:

• “No, thanks. It’s not for me.”
  
• “Why would I want to mess up a good thing? I’m cool the way I am.”
  
• “You’re kidding, right?
  
• Why would I do something so dumb?”
  
• “No way, man. Taking drugs is stupid.”
  
• “No way, man. Taking drugs is not for me.”
  
• “Can’t do it. Gotta get home.”
  
• “I can’t use drugs. I have a big test tomorrow.”
  
• “I tried drinking and I threw up.”
  
• “That’s illegal. I don’t want to get in trouble.”
  
• “I have a big game tomorrow.”
  
• “I’m up for a scholarship and don’t want to blow it.”
  
• “My parents would kill me.”
  
• “My cousin smoked marijuana and got caught by the police.”
  
• “I could get kicked off the team if anyone found out.”

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