Small Talks: Be a Positive Role Model
Being a positive influence on youth is the best way to help them make the right choices—especially when it comes to substance use. Research shows that parents and caregivers are the number one reason that kids don’t use substances like alcohol, cannabis, commercial tobacco, heroin, and methamphetamine. But preventing substance use takes a community. Together, parents and other caring adults can help to change how kids think and feel about substance use, and give kids the confidence to grow up substance-free.
Anyone can be a role model
Role models are everywhere in the community. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, law enforcement officer, or community leader—we all have a role in substance use prevention. And we can all make a difference! Work together to:
- Support programs that increase youth resiliency.
- Promote policies that make substances less available and accessible.
- Educate kids and other role models about the impacts of substances.
- Connect children and their families to substance use screenings and treatment options.
- Reduce substance use among high school students.
Model healthy ways to manage stress and emotions
Had tough day? The way you react matters. When you're stressed or anxious, kids pick up on that and they worry too.
Instead of using substances to cope with stress: take a kid along for a walk or try a 10-minute meditation. You'll feel better, and you'll teach your kids to cope well too.
Show them the best side of you
If you want a kid to feel confident in their decision-making and boundary setting, show them how to do it by talking about your own goals, challenges, and decisions.
Have follow-up conversations about challenges you've shared, and tell them how things are going, good or bad. You'll be teaching them that the process is as important as the goal.
Lead with conversation
Kids listen to what role models say. After all, you are the biggest positive influence in their lives. Short, casual conversations with kids, starting around age 8, make a big difference in substance use. And they can happen anywhere, anytime, and with anyone! Take the time to engage with the kids in your life about what matters to them. Then use what you know about substance use to start the conversation.
Here are some tips:
- Provide reliable information. It’s important to know the facts. When explained by an adult, the data and statistics about substance use can make a real difference in kids’ choices and opinions about substances. Have open, honest conversations about the impacts. Give kids the facts in a way they can relate to like how it can affect their grades, favorite activities, health, and relationships.
- Offer assistance and support. Being a kid isn’t easy. They are going through a lot of changes as they grow and face a lot of pressure, often from their peers. Let them know that you are always there for them when they need a hand or someone to talk with. Offer them support and understanding in a non-judgmental way
- Tie in personal experiences. If you feel comfortable, share the experiences, if any, you had with substances when you were young. If a kid can relate to you and your experiences, they will have more confidence to make the right choice when faced with the pressure to use substances. Give them healthy coping strategies and let them know that it’s ok to say no.
- Help create an exit strategy. All kids face peer pressure in one form or another. This is especially true when it comes to substances. Help them create an exit strategy for when they find themselves in a situation where they may feel pressured. Being prepared is the best tool to make the right choice.
What you can do as a role model
Every role model has a different relationship with the kids in their lives. Given that unique connection, everyone in the community has an opportunity to take actionable steps to prevent and reduce substance use.
Teachers play a huge role in their students’ lives and are in a great position to be a positive influence. Given the significant amount of time that kids are in the classroom, teachers often form a special bond with their students and can be a great source of support. Here are some things you can do:
- Send strong and consistent messages about the impacts of substance use.
- Look for ways to incorporate substance use prevention education into your classroom.
- Recognize the signs that may indicate a student is struggling with substance use.
- Take time at events like parent-teacher conferences to keep parents informed and involved.
Coaches are natural leaders and have a special relationship with their players. Kids are always looking to learn from their coaches, so there’s always an opportunity to teach valuable skills both on and off the field. Here’s how you can help:
- Make time after practice to educate players on how substance use can affect them physically and decrease their performance.
- Talk to your kids and their parents about how the use of alcohol and/or other drugs can affect their eligibility.
- Make it clear to parents that a zero-tolerance policy extends to team celebrations and gatherings.
- Designate trusted team leaders that can reinforce the messages about substance use and be a source of information and support.
Kids rely on all the adults in their lives—in fact, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins can offer a judgment-free, safe place to share difficult feelings. Together, extended family members can offer a network of support that helps prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Here's what you can do:
- Build connections to kids in your extended family and work to keep up with what's going on in their lives.
- Some kids might be hesitant to go to their parents for advice, but you can make yourself accessible and offer a safe space for conversation.
- Get involved in kids' lives by attending performances, sporting events, and school gatherings.
- Be available to their parents as well, and be open to talking about the impacts of substance use and ways to open conversations with kids about alcohol and other drugs.
Communities are full of natural leaders and respected citizens that carry influence. Whether you’re a Tribal elder, local official, law enforcement officer, youth organization leader, community volunteer, clergy, or another type of spiritual guide, you can make a difference. Here’s what you can do:
- Organize substance-free events within the community.
- Work with local businesses and parents to limit kids’ access to substances.
- Find ways to integrate substance use prevention education into community events.
- Provide safe spaces for kids where they can go for guidance and healthy activities.
Promote small talks
Join us in helping caring adults throughout Wisconsin understand the importance of talking with kids about the impacts of substance use early and often by promoting the Small Talks campaign in your community.