It can be really tricky to talk to teens about something like overdose, especially if you’re their parent. Even non-accusatory questions like “Have you or your friends ever heard about fentanyl use at school?” can be taken the wrong way if you’re not prepared. An important thing to communicate is that as a parent you are just concerned, not looking to get them into trouble.
Starting this conversation is important and there many are strategies that might help it go more smoothly. One option as a parent may be to begin by opening up about your experience with substances growing up, and acknowledging how different, and potentially challenging, things are by comparison today. If you can create cooperative dialogue where your child is allowed to be curious about your own experience, it opens up the floor for you to ask about theirs. The idea is that we are making an effort to reach a mutual understanding about substance use with children, rather than “teaching” them the way things should be.
For many young people, death and overdose can be such difficult concepts to approach that they think something can’t happen to them, even if deep down they know it could. They may get defensive, or even offended that you could think they might use substances. The reality is that teens are often at much greater risk than they are aware of, and we can’t work together without cooperative dialogue.
If we aren’t careful about how we approach sensitive topics like substance use with teens, they will stop being honest with us. It is crucial that we are non-judgmental, open, and willing to listen when we talk about these things with our teens. Overdose is something that can affect anybody, not just a certain type of person, and you can help!
