Talk 2 Kids About Drugs
The temptations are out there. Teens see drugs and alcohol in school, in peer groups, and in the media. This toolkit has advice and resources to help you identify teens who are using drugs and prevent substance abuse.
Navigate this toolkit.
Here are ways to help you stop the cycle before it starts — and show you what to do if it already has.
Did you know …
- 2/3of students have tried alcohol by 12th grade.
- 1/2of students have tried marijuana by 12th grade.
- 1/5of 12th graders have used medications without a prescription.
Deadly fentanyl is now being found in street drugs.
Synthetic fentanyl is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and is being found in cocaine, meth, and opioids.
Part 1:Drugs at a Glance
See what the most used and available drugs are among youth in Delaware. When you know what you’re up against, it’s easier to take action.
Alcohol
(booze, brew, liquor, sauce, juice)
How it’s used:
Drunk
Status:
Illegal under 21
Opioids
(heroin, H, dope, junk, smack, fentanyl, codeine, Oxy, Percs, Vicodin, lean, syrup)
How it’s used:
Injected, smoked, snorted, swallowed, drunk, freebased
Status:
Illegal (heroin); illegal without a prescription (prescription opioids)
Marijuana
(weed, pot, grass, ganja, reefer, trees, nugs, maryjane)
How it’s used:
Smoked, vaporized, brewed into tea, mixed into food or candy
Status:
Possession illegal for minors
Prescription drugs
(uppers, downers, painkillers, pills; can include pain relievers, sedatives/tranquilizers, and stimulants)
How it’s used:
Swallowed, injected, snorted
Status:
Illegal without a prescription
Stimulants
(Adderall, Dexedrine/Dexies, Ritalin, bennies, speed, smarties)
How it’s used:
Swallowed, injected, snorted
Status:
Illegal without a prescription
Methamphetamine
(ice, chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, meth, speed)
How it’s used:
Swallowed, injected, snorted, smoked
Status:
Illegal
Cocaine
(blow, bump, coke, line, flake, speedball, crack)
How it’s used:
Snorted, smoked, rubbed on gums, injected
Status:
Illegal
Part 2:Drug Fact Sheets
Below, you’ll find a toolkit with info on alcohol and different drugs, how they affect teens, how teens get them, how to talk to teens about using them, and what else you can do to prevent teens from using them.
Keep on hand. Know your stuff. Then talk to them.
Parent and educator guide: drugs and teens
Tips for talking with teens about alcohol and drugs
Teens and alcohol
Teens and opioids
Teens and marijuana
Teens and prescription drugs
Teens and stimulants
Teens and methamphetamine
Teens and cocaine
Protective factors
Part 3:Ways for Schools to Spread the Truth
Educator or school administrator? Here, you’ll find social media content, text messages, and announcements about youth substance use that you can send to students, families, parents, and guardians.
How to use:
Use the copy and images provided to engage with families on all your social media platforms at least once a week. Using a variety of messages allows you to rotate posts to keep messaging fresh and interesting, while also imparting important information. Remember to also monitor responses and engage in conversations with your social following.
Instructions for posting:
Facebook: It’s never too early to have a conversation about #AlcoholUse and other drugs. #SubstanceAbuse can happen at any age but often begins in young people. Visit Talk2KidsAboutDrugs.com for information and resources on how you can spot the signs and prevent youth drug use, misuse, and abuse.
Instagram: Prevent underage drinking and drug use by having the conversation now. #SubstanceAbuse can happen at any age, but it usually starts in young people. Visit our link in bio for information and resources on how you can spot the signs and prevent misuse and abuse.