Second Step E-Newsletter
October 2011
Just Say Know: Talking with Kids about Drugs and Alcohol
by Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson
Reading level: Adult
Most educators, parents, and health providers know that just saying “no” is not enough to keep children and teens away from drugs and alcohol. If only life were that simple. However, for those who are willing to transform “no” into “know,” there is a way. Just Say Know is an intelligent approach to a challenging topic, stressing honest, age-appropriate communication and specific information sharing. The authors, as pharmacology and psychology professors and parents, are aware that savvy youth will not benefit from scare tactics, nor will they believe blanket statements that all drugs are equally dangerous.
The first chapter of Just Say Know focuses on communication. The authors suggest starting children’s education early; being good models for listening, communicating, and healthy behavior; educating oneself; empowering children to make their own decisions; establishing clear rules; and knowing how to identify and respond to problems when they come up. There is also a compelling section on the differences between children’s and teens’ brains and those of adults.
Cold, Hard Facts
For so many teens, drug and alcohol abuse lectures from adults fly right by. They’ve seen their friends partake of various substances with little or no visible harm. In addition, young people might have a sense of immortality: “That happens to other people—not me,” or youthful fatalism: “I’m not going to live past age 30 anyway.” Just Say Know addresses this first issue with specific responses for adults to use with children about how individuals’ bodies and brains react differently to substances. The book addresses the second issue with its steadfast commitment to education and communication. The immediate health, safety, and legal impacts of substance use and abuse may make a crack in the adolescent armor.
The second chapter is about drug basics: what they are, how they work, what addiction is, how drug use leads to addiction, and so forth. The “Talking Points” segment at the end of the chapter is particularly useful for adults looking to synthesize the information into usable bits. The third chapter addresses legal issues, with sobering facts about how easily a family’s life could be turned upside-down by seemingly innocuous situations. The remainder of the book tackles each time of substance one at a time, describing it with blunt honesty in sections called “The Most Important Thing to Know About _____” and “Talking with Kids About _____.” In addition to hallucinogens, marijuana, ecstasy, inhalants, and opiates, the authors give equal time to alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and steroids. Photo plates vividly depict many of the substances discussed, and include a fascinating image of adolescent brain development compared to the adult brain.
Negative Attitude Toward Substance Abuse
Just Say Know meshes well with substance abuse prevention lessons in the Second Step middle school program. The primary goal of these lessons is to prevent early onset of alcohol and other drug use, as early initiation is a risk factor for later problems. Second Step lessons are designed to increase student knowledge about the risks associated with using drugs and alcohol. They learn about addiction, negative effects of drugs and alcohol on their bodies and brains, and some of the negative social consequences of substance abuse. The theory behind both Just Say Know and the Second Step program is that increased awareness should result in a more negative attitude toward substance use and less subsequent experimentation with and use of alcohol and other drugs. When adults are thoroughly and accurately informed about drugs and alcohol, they are in a much better position to educate the children in their charge. Just Say Know, though jam-packed with information, is extremely readable, with immediate application for any adult living or working with children.
