Choose from the sample newsletter inserts below to share key messages with parents/families of secondary school students:
Substance Use
It is never too early to start talking about alcohol, cannabis, edibles, opioids and other drugs. Using substances at a younger age regularly and often can harm the developing brain
and can lead to social, mental, and physical health changes. Brains are still developing until 25 years of age!
Talking with your child about alcohol, cannabis and edibles in open and non-judgmental ways, helps them be prepared to make informed decisions about, if, or how, they will use substances.
Need resources to help the conversation? Being aware of the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) and
The Blunt Truth can help your teen make safer choices about vaping or using cannabis.
Are you ready for these conversations? Learn how to talk about cannabis with the Cannabis Talk Kit and
Drug Free Kids Canada.
For more information: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/Drugs/parentinganddrugs
Misusing pain medication is very dangerous.
Pain medication (opioids) can be misused in two ways:
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If used in ways other than intended by a physician.
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If used by someone it was not prescribed for.
Use of prescription opioid pain medication (such as Percocet, Percodan, Tylenol #3, Demerol, Dilaudid, OxyNeo, Codeine and Fentanyl) for non-medical reasons has significantly increased in recent years. Early prevention is key!
What can you do?
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Keep your medications locked up and out of sight.
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Clean out your medicine cabinet regularly and take left over or expired medication to the pharmacy for safe, free disposal.
For more information, visit the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
You Have Influence
Did you know that teenagers rank their parents/caregivers as having the most influence over what risks they choose to take? And that teens who believe their parents/caregivers strongly disapprove of drug and alcohol use are less likely than their peers to use them! So…
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Spend time with your kids and talk openly about alcohol and other drugs
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Set clear and consistent messages
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Know that you are their role-model.
For useful tips and other helpful information on how you can best communicate with your teen and how you can help your teen manage the risks, visit:
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/talk/the-importance-of-communication/age-appropriate-conversations/
Talk with your kids (simcoemuskokahealth.org)
Cannabis Impairs Your Abilities
Driving while impaired by Cannabis may double the risk of being involved in a crash. This risk for serious collisions increases even more when cannabis is mixed with alcohol. Cannabis impairs a person's thinking, coordination, ability to judge distance and their reaction time. Decision-making
abilities are slowed down. This can last 12 hours or longer after using cannabis.
Many teens think it is safe to drive within a few hours of using cannabis. Teens may be a passenger of a driver using cannabis. Help keep your teen safer:
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Talk about the problem of cannabis impaired driving.
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Offer to be a safe ride.
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Be a good example by not driving after using cannabis.
For more information, visit the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
Positive Mental Health
What can we do to become more resilient? It is common to experience fear and worry during uncertain times. For some people worries can become excessive and can have a negative effect on our health and immune system. Relying on substances to manage stress can fuel addictions.
Reaching out, building healthy connections, close social relationships and helping others, creates resilience in the face of a crisis.