Casco Bay CANPrograms + Resources
Tips + Resources for Parents
Casco Bay CAN Videos
Click here to watch Dr. Duffy’s live presentation
Click here to listen to Dr. Duffy’s forum which highlighted tips from his book and provided support for talking with teens during COVID-19 about their concerns and stress
Answering Your Child’s Tough Questions About Alcohol
5 Ways to Reduce Your Teen’s Risk
40 Developmental Assets to Help Raise A Child
Reading list – books donated by Casco Bay CAN and available at your local libraries
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator- SAMHSA
Casco Bay CAN Rack Card: How Does Marijuana Affect Teens?
Counselors – Local serving youth
2-1-1 Maine Text to Seek Local Substance Use Treatment
DEA’s Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth & Young Adults
Growing Up Drug Free- A Parent’s Guide to Prevention
Fentanyl Safety Recommendations
Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child
How to Talk To Your Kids About Drugs If You Did Drugs
Maine Liquor Laws: What Adults and Teens Need to Know (VIDEO)
Marijuana Facts to Prevent Teen Use (VIDEO)
Parenting Tips, Advice and Help
Party Hosting: Don’t Provide The Means (VIDEO)
Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Tips (VIDEO)
Prom & Graduation Safety Tips for Parents
Relationships First, Creating Connections That Help Young People Thrive
SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) and CRAFFT Tool
Transitions from Preschool to College Poster
Transitions from Preschool to College Rack Card
Transition to Middle School Tips
What Parents Should Know About Teens, Drinking and Drugs
Your Childs Treatment Roadmap A Guide to Navigating the Addiction Treatment System
Be A Good Role Model for Teens
Lead day-to-day examples of your values. Show compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want young people to have. Teens who learn anti-drug or alcohol use messages at home are 50% more likely to use. Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to teen’s drinking and drug use.
Build Your Support Network
Build a support network to connect with others when an issue arises. Below are some community and health specialists who can guide and inform you:
- School counselors and student assistance professionals
- Employee assistance professionals
- Family doctors or pediatricians
- Nurses
- Faith leaders
- Community health centers
Set Ground Rules for Teens
- Set clear rules and discuss in advance the consequences of breaking them.
- The rules must be consistently enforced.
- Set a curfew. And enforce it strictly. Be prepared to negotiate for special occasions.
- Have teens check in at regular times when they’re away from home or school
- Call parents whose home is to be used for a party. On party night, don’t be afraid to stop in to say hello (and make sure that adult supervision is in place).
- Make it easy to leave a party where alcohol or drugs are being used. Discuss in advance how to signal you or another designated adult who will come to pick your teen up the moment he or she feels uncomfortable.
- Listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to intervene if your gut reaction tells you that something is wrong.
Staying in Touch with your Teen
- Make a list of your teens activities for the coming day and put it on the fridge, on a calendar or in your wallet or pocketbook.
- Walk through your neighborhood and note where your teen’s age hang out.
- Know your teen’s friends. Have a small party at your house and invite the parents of teen’s friends.
- Work with other parents to get a list of everyone’s addresses, e-mails, and phone numbers so you can keep in touch with your teen.
- Occasionally check to see that your teen is where they said they were going to be.
