A
s a parent, you have the
most in uence in your
child’s life. at means
you—more than anyone else—can
help your child stay drug-free.
Here are some tips:
Take a rm stand.
Most kids
don’t want to let their parents
down. So make it clear that you’re
against drug abuse of any kind.
at includes misusing:
Illegal drugs.
Prescription drugs.
Over-the-counter remedies.
Kids sometimes use painkillers
and other drugs to get high. ese
legal drugs are dangerous too.
Help your child say no.
Tell your
child it’s OK to turn down drugs
from a friend. He or she is rejecting
drugs, not the other person. Your
child might say, “I’d get in a lot of
M
any things change as kids
grow up.
But there’s one thing
that doesn’t change. Older kids still
need to get shots. Shots can help
keep them from getting sick.
Kids pass around lots of germs.
And some of the things they can
catch could make them very sick.
So talk with your child’s provider.
You can nd out which shots your
child needs. ese may include:
Meningococcal.
is shot helps
prevent a serious illness called
meningitis. Boys and girls need
their rst shot at age 11 or 12. en
Older kids need shots too
they need a booster shot at age 16.
Human papillomavirus (HPV).
ese shots protect children from
the types of HPV that most often
cause:
Cervical cancer.
Genital warts.
ese shots can be started with
kids as early as 9 years old.
Flu.
is shot helps prevent the
u. Most people should get this
shot. Kids should get one every
year. ey can get it starting at
6
months old.
Tdap.
is shot helps protect
kids from:
Tetanus.
Diphtheria.
Whooping cough.
is shot should be given at the
11-
or 12-year checkup.
Keep shots current
Also check that your child has had
all other needed shots. Shots they
should already have had include:
Hepatitis B.
Polio.
Chickenpox.
Measles, mumps and rubella
(
MMR).
If your child has missed certain
shots, it’s possible to catch up. Your
child’s provider can help you with this.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Raising drug-free kids
trouble if my mom or dad found
out.”
Check up on your child.
Know
how your child spends his or her
time. Get to know your child’s
friends.
Praise your child and reward
good behavior.
is can help boost
your child’s con dence. Kids who
feel good about themselves are less
likely to try drugs than ones with
poor self-esteem.
Fight boredom.
Kids often turn
to drugs because they’re bored and
want entertainment. Encourage
your child to have fun in healthy
ways—for instance, by playing
sports or taking up a hobby.
Be a good role model.
Kids copy
their parents’ behavior. Stay away
from drugs yourself.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Office of National Drug Control Policy
TAKE ACTION.
Have a
question about behavioral health
coverage? Call Member Services
at
661-632-1590
(
Bakersfield)
or
800-391-2000
(
outside
Bakersfield).
3
family
health
children’s health