Sometimes the demands a family is facing make it difficult for parents to tame a rebellious teen. If you’re concerned that your child may be headed toward a dangerous path, these four preventative measures can help keep them from making poor choices.
Keep prescriptions secured
Recent studies have shown more teens abusing prescription drugs. Experts believe that this rise may be happening because teens can easily steal these drugs from their parents and because there isn’t as strong of a stigma around prescription drug use.
To prevent your teen or young adult from tampering with your prescription medications, it’s important to keep them in a secure, private area.
Set a curfew
If your son or daughter is under the age of 16, most city ordinances have established curfews. Setting your own additional curfew will keep your teen from getting in trouble for being out past hours.
This may also prevent your teen from other criminal behavior that he or she wouldn’t try while lots of people are around to see during the day time.
Give them a breathalyzer
If your child is under the age of 21, it is against the law for them to possess alcohol. It is important to make this very clear to your child. However, if they choose to drink and drive, the consequences could be far worse if they accidentally hurt someone else or themselves.
Providing a breathalyzer can ensure that your child has the tools to tell when they’re too drunk to drive. As an alternative, you can allow teens to get home by using rideshare or you can volunteer your own services. Never encourage someone who is underage to consume alcohol.
Explain the risks
One way you can deter your child from dabbling in criminal behavior is by making sure they have a firm understanding of the legal penalties for crimes, such as:
- Shoplifting
- Drug possession
- Alcohol possession
- Trespassing
- Driving while under the influence
- Disorderly conduct
By speaking with a criminal defense attorney, you can learn more about the potential penalties of crimes like this and what to do if your child is facing charges.
