Family Resources

Empower your children to say yes to the things they love and no to habits that hold them back.

Our unique bond and heritage.

Native families enjoy a unique bond and heritage steeped in trials and triumphs. The power of community, connection and history can help remind youth that their decisions impact more than just them — they have a ripple effect on communities and generations to come.

According to SAMHSA: ”While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for helping a family member who is drinking too much, using drugs, or dealing with a mental illness, research shows that family support can play a major role in helping a loved one with mental and substance use disorders.”

Make time to talk to your children about the dangers of underage drinking and drug misuse.

Learn what motivates them.

School, exploring Native culture, time with family, sports, outdoor activities and more are top activities that inspire our next generation of leaders. As a caretaker, take a moment to think about hobbies and habits that will help them say yes to a brighter future.

Hear what our young people have to say.

Families and elders have the most influence on whether their children will drink alcohol or use drugs during adolescents.

When you help your children say no to alcohol and drugs, you’re helping them say yes to: 

• better grades.

• better decisions.

• better health outcomes. 

Rely on your family, culture and elders for support.

Encouragement matters. Think through what you want your children to say yes to. Here are some great examples:

• Hobbies and habits that will help your community thrive.

• Positive activities that matter to them.

• Time with loved ones and friends.

• Authenticity and truth.

Many people struggle with substance use, but every day is a new opportunity to say yes to a better tomorrow for yourself, your family and your community.

You are not alone. Here are some resources and tools available to help you help them.

Prevention starts at home, and it starts today.
Every day is a new opportunity to give your children the tools to make the right decision for their health. Access your free family SAMHSA resources here.

Here are some tips for parents:

Remove access to substances in your household.

Sixty percent of current underage drinkers reported family and friends as their source for the alcohol they consumed (2020, SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health). Remove alcohol or secure it and monitor prescription drugs carefully.

Set a household drug and alcohol policy.

Sit down as a family and discuss your expectations and consequences related to drug and alcohol use. A policy does not entirely eliminate the risks around substance abuse, but it is a good place to start and creates an opportunity for an open conversation.

Connect on positive topics and habits.

Whether it’s sports, art or Native culture, find connections with your children and lean into opportunities to share and enjoy positive habits.

Know that elders can pass down their resilience.

Intergenerational relationships can offer important insight and give youth the tools they need to make healthy decisions and overcome trials endured by older generations (2016, National Library of Medicine).

“Strong emotional bonds help children learn how to manage their own feelings and behaviors and develop self-confidence. They help create a safe base from which they can explore, learn, and relate to others.” - National Institute of Health

When family members invest in children, they are more likely to thrive.

American Indian and Alaska Native elders hold important lessons and foundational knowledge that can be key to developing positive youth cultural identity and life skills (2016, National Library of Medicine).

Children with the greatest level of family connection were over 49% more likely to flourish compared with those with the lowest level of family connection (2022, American Academy of Pediatrics).

Researchers surveyed over 37,000 children in 26 countries and found adolescents who reported having a great bond with their family also reported that they were succeeding in life (2022, American Academy of Pediatrics).

Difficult Questions & Possible Answers

Below are some tough questions and possible answers. Each family is different. Use the answers as a jumping off point and tailor to your relationship and family dynamic.

You drink alcohol, so why can’t I?

Remind them underage drinking is against the law. Adults are fully developed both physically and mentally and are better able to handle alcohol’s effects. Children are still growing, and alcohol has a more intense impact on their decision-making capabilities and health.

Why is alcohol bad for me?

Overly relying on scare tactics for this question will likely backfire. Instead, emphasize the facts. Tell your child that alcohol is bad for their growing brain, it hampers judgement and can make them sick. Severe consequences of underage drinking are injury or death; unwanted or unprotected sexual activity; academic and extracurricular problems and increased likelihood of continued alcohol and drug misuse. Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in young adults who drink, too.

Did you drink when you were a teenager?

To build trust with your child, be honest in an age-appropriate way. Don’t let your decisions as a teenager impact your ability to have an important conversation. Emphasize that we know even more about the negative impacts of underage drinking now and the risk you put yourself in if you did drink as a teen. If you didn’t, share with them what stopped you and emphasize how glad you are that you made that decision; discuss how it set you up to further invest in healthy hobbies and habits.

I got invited to a party, and I want to go. Can I?

Ask if an adult is going to be present and if there will be a possibility that underage drinking or drug misuse will occur. Remind them that even if they don’t drink or use drugs, going to a party where underage substance use occurs is a risk and can get them in trouble. If you decide they can go, remind them you or another trusted adult will be on call and can pick them up at any point if they are asked to do something that makes them uncomfortable.

Doctors give us prescription drugs, so how are they bad?

Remind them that doctors give prescriptions for specific uses and timeframes, and drugs are, at their core, powerful substances that can impact their body and mind. Misusing them can lead to serious consequences. Giving them to others can also have severe consequences.

Rely on the facts. Drugs can impair their ability to fully pursue things they enjoy – academics, sports, spending time with friends and family, art, etc. Drug misuse leads to a loss of interest in relationships, poor attendance, secrecy, depression and anxiety. Also, addiction can affect anyone. There is no specific type of person who becomes addicted to drugs. Regardless of background, finances or family history, misusing drugs can lead to addiction. Let your child know you will monitor any prescription drugs they are prescribed and that they have trusted adults on their side.