What to do after talking to your kids about fentanyl

Check in with your young person and thank them for participating. See how they are feeling about the conversation, and consider ways to keep the dialogue open so that they can access your support if they need it in the future.

SAY “THANK YOU” FOR THEIR TRUST

Some useful phrases:

• “Thank you for trusting me to have an honest and open conversation about an uncomfortable topic with you.”

• “Thank you for allowing me to learn with you about how we can safely navigate substance use.”

Intentionally giving your child positive reinforcement for participating in this conversation makes it more likely that they will remain open to discussing this in the future.

LEAD WITH THE EXAMPLE OF YOUR ACTIONS

Consider opportunities in your day-to-day life where you can model healthy behaviors and decisions around substance use for your children to see. Developing brains learn first through mimicry, so there are many chances for you to positively influence these areas outside of when you sit down to discuss it directly.

SOME USEFUL EXERCISES

• With other adult family members and friends, model healthy conversations about substance use (including alcohol) and making safe choices in front of your children to show them a variety of positive examples.

• Next time you or your child has a prescription, review the label with them. Point out where the name of the person to whom the medicine belongs is printed, where the name of the medication is written, and where they can find the dosage instructions. Discuss why it is only safe for people to take pills that are prescribed for them.