Parents Corner
Most Tekoa Parents (7 out of 10)
set clear rules for their teens
on underage use of alcohol & marijuana.
How to Prevent Youth Alcohol & Marijuana Use
Bond With Your Children
Children who feel close to their parents are less likely to use alcohol and marijuana. Family conflict and lack of bonding increase the risk of drinking and drug use.
Set Clear Boundaries
Set clear rules and expectations about no alcohol and marijuana use. Talk early and often about the rules.
Monitor Your Child's Interactions
Ask who, what, who, when and where. Know where your teen is. Help them plan fun safe activities.
Start the conversation
Talk. They Hear You.
Get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other drug use.
Start Talking Now
You are the most powerful influence in your child's life.
Starts With One
Talking to your children about drugs can be tough, but it may be the most important thing you can do. Find practical conversation starters here.
Raise Resilient Adults
Positive Childhood Experiences
Fill your child’s life with positive experiences showing they are supported and protected. Help them become resilient. More at PACEs Connection.
- Ability to talk with family about feelings
- Feeling that family is supportive in difficult times
- Enjoyment in participating in community traditions
- Feeling of belonging in high school
- Feeling of being supported by friends
- Having a least two non-parent adults who genuinely care
- Feeling safe and protected by an adult at home
What are ACEs?
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years).
Effects
ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adolescence and adulthood.
ACEs can also negatively impact education, job opportunities, and earning potential.
Preventable with PCEs
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) counter-act the negative effects of ACEs. A trusted, caring adult in a child's life is the most powerful factor in raising resilient children.
Creating and sustaining safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children and families can prevent ACEs and help children reach their full potential.
Parenting to Prevent and Heal ACEs
Positive interactions help children know they are loved and understand that they can rely on you. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) happen to most children. Here are some fun and easy ways to counter-act the stressful effects. Parents and caregivers are the most important influence on a child's life.
This handout is based on the work of Donna Jackson Nakazawa, who worked with PACEs Connection and generously allowed us to paraphrase content from her book, Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology & How You Can Heal. Donna's book specifically addresses those of us parenting with ACEs (which she also does brilliantly in the powerful documentary, Wrestling Ghosts, which is about parenting and healing from ACEs).
Washington State Laws
In 2012, Washington State voters approved Initiative 502 (I-502), which permits an adult over 21 to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for their own personal use in private. The public consumption of marijuana is subject to civil violation and fine. Recreational marijuana sales to the public in Washington State began July 8, 2014. Marijuana remains illegal on the federal level.
Recreational Use in WA
Recreational marijuana use is legal in WA with a number of restrictions. It is important to know the law.
Overview by State
Eighteen states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of cannabis (marijuana) for adult recreational use. (7/6/2021)
Federal Laws
Marijuana (Cannabis) is currently a Schedule 1 drug subject to pentalites at the federal level.