Here are some teaching strategies to help avoid drug and alcohol abuse from FASD Support Network of Saskatchewan.

1. Begin to teach and talk about drugs and alcohol early and often. Use clear and direct
language along with real life examples.

2. Be specific about which drinks are alcohol and which drugs are illegal drugs. It can be
confusing to know the difference between medicine and illegal drugs.

3. Create family rules about drugs and alcohol. Be a good role model to members of
your family.

4. Teens need to know that it is against the law for them to use alcohol or drugs and that
it is also against the law to have alcohol or drugs in their backpack, purse, room or car.

5. Help teens and adults to find good role models and friends that do not use drugs and
alcohol.

6. Help them to find other activities that are fun and provide opportunity to experience
success and feel a sense of belonging. A music group, team sport, or other
recreational activity is a good choice and gives them something to do and can build
positive experiences.

7. When problems arise, like sadness, boredom or feeling alone, deal with these
things in positive ways so that drugs or alcohol are not used to self medicate or dull
feelings of emotional pain.

8. Use role play, practice and rehearsal to help teens or adults learn to avoid drugs and
alcohol. Practice over and over how to say no and how to stay safe.

9. Have a plan in place to deal with situations where drugs or alcohol are available and
they find it is hard to say no to using. Encourage them to phone home or leave
immediately.

10. Support a healthy sense of self so teens and adults do not use drugs and alcohol to fit
in or be accepted. Encourage safe alcohol-free activities with positive role models.

11. If a person with FASD develops an addiction, contact the Network for information
about FASD to share with the addictions counsellor. To improve the chances of
success, the counsellor will need to accommodate the unique needs and recognize the
brain differences of a person with FASD.

12. Find someone to talk to and to support you. Other parents can share ideas and help
you to feel that you are not alone. Call the Network for support.

Reference: FASD Support Network of Saskatchewan Inc. (n.d.). FASD Tips for Parents and Caregivers Numbers 1-20. https://lcfasd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FASD-Tips-for-Parents-and-Caregivers-1-20.pdf