Teens with “Summer Time” on Their Hands

Summertime can be a risky time for teenagers. More teens try marijuana for the first time than any other time of the year. Why? The main culprit is boredom. Ensuring that your teen is engaged in positive activities, whether summer school, camps, volunteering or planned, supervised outings with friends can be a way to deter youth from things that are harmful to them, such as drug and alcohol use.

The following list will help guide you and your teen toward a safe and healthy summer:

* Establish a summertime curfew for your teen* Help plan activities to keep your teen busy

* Schedule time together to do something fun as a family

* Check in with adult supervisors, such as coaches and employers

* Meet your child’s friends, especially those that your teen hangs out with regularly

* Set some kind of check-in system, such as an established call time when they get home