Yes, We Have to Talk To Our Kids About Drugs—Here’s How to Start
Two Experts, One Conversation Every Parent Needs to Hear
How do we talk to our kids about drugs in a way that informs, protects, and empowers without inducing panic or shame?
We know we have to have these talks. But it is more complicated these days. Whether we experimented back in the day or not, we can’t rely on our memories of our childhood experiences to guide us now. Today’s landscape is more complex. New substances are more potent and more easily accessible. Marijuana is legal in almost half the country. Alcohol is everywhere. And we also have to consider our own relationship with these substances—what our children see and how that shapes their thinking. “Just say no” no longer works. But what does?
This week on Ground Control Parenting, I explore all of this with the help of two guests who bring both professional expertise and personal insight to this critical topic. Pat Aussem, an addiction counselor and leader at the Partnership to End Addiction, translates the latest research and trends into guidance parents can actually use. And Carleah Summers, founder of Andrea’s House and a mother in long-term recovery, shares hard-earned wisdom from the front lines of parenting, healing, and helping others do the same.
We cover a lot of ground, starting with the current landscape of teen substance use. The good news? Fewer kids are using substances than a generation ago. But for those who may be inclined, the risks are far more dangerous. Vaping and nicotine pouches are everywhere. And counterfeit pills—often laced with fentanyl—are being sold on social media, disguised as prescription meds. It’s a minefield. And our kids are navigating it every day.
We explore how cannabis has changed—its potency, its delivery, its presence in everyday life—and what that means for still-developing brains. We talk about when and how to start conversations (spoiler alert: earlier than you might think), with things as simple as explaining to our young ones why medicine is taken only as prescribed or why vitamin gummies are not candy. And we discuss why “just say no” doesn’t work anymore, especially for kids dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, or simply trying to fit in.
Pat explains how to spot red flags in your child’s behavior without jumping to conclusions. She walks us through what to do if you're worried—how to seek support, where to find trusted resources, and how to respond without overreacting. The Partnership to End Addiction offers tools, scripts, and support to help you move from confusion to clarity.
Carleah speaks with such wisdom and warmth about how she talks to her children about drugs while in recovery, and how honesty, consistency, and presence are the foundation of trust. Her approach—meeting kids where they are, rather than reacting in fear—offers a model for how we can inform and support our children without judgment, even in the hardest moments.
Here’s what stayed with me: start the conversation early, and keep it going. Be clear and honest in your discussions but don’t come across as fearful or panicked. Listen more than you talk. Be mindful of what you model. Know your child’s personality, pressures, and vulnerabilities—and tailor your support accordingly. And make sure your child knows, without a doubt, that if they ever need help, you will show up without judgment and with open arms.
Whether your child is years away from facing these decisions or already in the thick of them, this episode offers tools, perspective, and support.
🎧How Do I Talk To My Kid About Drugs? ––Start Here with Pat Aussem and Carleah Summers, is out now! Please listen, share, and most of all, don’t shy away from the conversation. Our kids are counting on us to show up informed, compassionate, and ready.
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Enjoy,