Why We Need to Talk to Our Kids About Drugs

As parents, we try our best to protect our kids from harm. We want to teach them right from wrong, to guide them in making good decisions, and to help them avoid mistakes. But sometimes, we can fall short in certain areas, thinking that our kids will automatically make the right choices. One area I learned the hard way that I wasn’t as proactive as I should have been was in discussing drugs with my son.

My son, now 21, was always a good kid—quiet, shy, loved by teachers, and known for his goofy, funny side when he was around the right people. He had a heart full of love and never got in trouble. But he also struggled with fitting in. He didn’t make friends easily and was bullied at school, and that desire to fit in led him down a dangerous path when he was just 14 years old.

It all started when he snuck out one afternoon while I was at work. He went to a friend’s house, where he drank and smoked what he believed was weed. But little did he know, the weed he smoked was something more dangerous. I’ll never forget the moment I received the call from the sheriff's department. My heart sank as the deputy told me they had seen my son walking on a backroad, and he seemed off. When they tried to stop him, he ran away, but they caught up with him and quickly realized something was wrong.

They asked him if he was on anything, and he admitted that he had smoked and drank at his friend's house. The sheriff’s deputy brought him to the hospital, and it turned out that the drugs had been laced. They had to flush his system, and I was left in a state of shock and fear. That moment was one of the hardest in my life. I was scared for him, angry at him, and, honestly, angry at myself.

I realized then that I had failed him in one key area: I had never really had an open, in-depth conversation about drugs and alcohol. Sure, I told him not to do them, but I never explained why it was so dangerous. I never told him about the risks, the possible consequences, or the long-lasting effects of substance abuse. I had hoped he’d just understand, but that’s not enough. Kids need to hear the why behind the rules.

We can't just tell our kids not to do something without educating them on the dangers of those decisions. Drugs, alcohol, and peer pressure are all real threats that our children face. They need to understand that their decisions today could affect them for the rest of their lives. In my son’s case, the consequences were permanent. The drugs he took caused lasting damage to his brain. Every day, he lives with regret, and so do I.

But here's what I’ve learned from this experience: it’s never too late to start the conversation. While I can’t undo the past, I can use my experience to educate others and help them avoid the same mistakes. We need to start talking to our kids—early and often—about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and making choices that can affect their futures.

It’s important to let them know that if they ever find themselves in a situation where they’ve made a mistake, it’s okay to come to us for help. No judgment, just love and support. But we can’t help them make better decisions if we don’t first equip them with the knowledge and understanding they need to make those decisions.

The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God calls us to take care of our bodies and our minds, and that means saying no to things that harm us, like drugs and alcohol. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we dishonor God’s creation—our very own bodies. We need to remember that it’s not just about avoiding harm but about protecting the precious life God has entrusted to us.

So, to the parents who haven’t yet had that conversation with their kids, I urge you to have it today. Don’t wait for the situation to find you. Don’t assume that they already know everything they need to know. Have the hard conversations. Be honest, be real, and be the safe place your kids need when they’re facing tough choices.

If my experience can prevent just one more child from making a mistake like my son did, then I will know that something good has come from the pain I’ve gone through. Remember, our kids need us, not just to tell them what’s right and wrong, but to walk alongside them and guide them through life’s challenges.

God gave us these children, and it’s our responsibility to protect and guide them. So let’s do that, together.

Prayer for Wisdom & Guidance

Lord, I come before You with a humble heart, asking for Your wisdom and guidance as I navigate the journey of parenting. Please help me to have the courage to have the difficult conversations with my children, conversations that will protect their futures and help them make wise, God-honoring choices.

Give me the words to speak, and help me to listen to their fears, doubts, and questions without judgment. Help me to be a safe place for them, so they know they can come to me with anything. Lord, may I always be an example of Your love, grace, and truth.

I ask that You protect my children from the dangers of this world, including the temptations that can lead them astray. Give them strength, wisdom, and discernment to resist peer pressure and make decisions that honor You.

Thank You for being our constant source of strength and guidance. I trust that You will be with us every step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.