You hear from us all the time that you should talk with your kids about cough medicine abuse. It’s not easy for any parent to bring up an issue like drug abuse. Here are a few quick tips to help make those conversations go a little bit smoother:

• Start early: Take the opportunity to talk with your children first, before they hear it from their friends.
• Use everyday opportunities to talk: Don’t miss opportunities to talk with your child. Take advantage of the times when your child wants to talk.
• Build their self-esteem: Empower your child to become more confident and more likely to say no to substance abuse.
• Be a good example: Be consistent in your message and your actions.

You can find more tips at the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.