DRUGFREEAZ.ORG Hosts Workshops for Parents to Help Prevent Teen Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use October 25, 2011

When children hit their teens oftentimes they’re faced with difficult questions and peer pressures they must learn to deal with on their own. In order to help parents gain skills in which to prevent their teens from using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, DrugFreeAz.org is offering Guiding Good Choices workshops.

“The reality is, every child is going to be asked if they want to smoke, drink or use drugs,” said Kim Obert, workshop leader for DrugFreeAz.org. “These workshops are aimed to help strengthen family bonds, give parents the skills to teach their kids how to battle peer pressure, reduce family conflicts, and ultimately guide good choices.”

A FREE five-part workshop (once per week for five weeks), Guiding Good Choices is designed for parents or caregivers of children ages 9 to 14. Seeking to promote healthy youth development and to prevent teen alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, the Guiding Good Choices program is divided into the following topics:

- Session 1: Getting Started: How to Prevent Drug Abuse in Your Family
- Session 2: Setting Guidelines: How to Develop Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
- Session 3: Avoiding Trouble: How to Say No (children attend this session with their parents.)
- Session 4: Managing Conflict: How to Control and Express Anger
- Session 5: Involving Everyone: How to Strengthen Family Bonds
In research studies, children of participants had:
- 40% lower rates of alcohol and marijuana use
- 54% less progression to more serious substance abuse
- 26% greater likelihood of remaining drug free if not already using drugs
- 38% lower rates of self-harm
- 28% fewer feelings of worthlessness
Guiding Good Choices workshops are being offered in Scottsdale at the following locations, dates and times (in order to get the most out of this parenting course, attendance at all five workshops is strongly encouraged*):
Ingleside Middle School
October 25, 2011 – November 22, 2011
Tuesdays from 6 – 8 p.m.
Contact Cheryl Guthrie at 480-484-4900 or [email protected] for registration

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
November 14, 2011 – December 12, 2011
Mondays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Contact Jillian Vanselow at 623-377-3919 or [email protected] for registration

Cocopah Middle School
January 10, 2012 – February 7, 2012
Tuesdays from 6 – 8 p.m.
Contact Lisa Sepulveda at 602-264-5700 or [email protected]

Desert Canyon Middle School
February 21, 2012 – March 27, 2012 (no workshop on March 6, 2012)
Tuesdays from 6 - 8 p.m.
Contact Lisa Sepulveda at 602-264-5700 or [email protected]

Supai Middle School
April 10, 2012 – May 8, 2012
Tuesdays from 6 – 8 p.m.
Contact Lisa Sepulveda at 602-264-5700 or [email protected]

For more information on the Guiding Good Choices workshops, visit www.DrugFreeAz.org call (602)264-5700.

*Workshop materials will be issued to those parents committed to attending all five sessions.

About DrugFreeAz.org:
DrugFreeAz.org - The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Affiliate is a 501(c) (3) non-profit statewide organization with a volunteer board of directors. Our mission is to prevent and reduce youth drug and alcohol use through community education and awareness by providing parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, educators and others with educational tools, information and resources.