It’s Never Too Early: How to Talk to Your School-Age Child About Drugs and Alcohol

OSUS encourages parents to start the conversation early and build lifelong trust

Columbia, S.C. – When it comes to substance use, children start noticing, asking questions and forming opinions much earlier than many parents realize. That is why the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) is encouraging parents and caregivers to begin age-appropriate conversations about drugs and alcohol in the elementary years, laying the groundwork for healthy choices and trust that lasts a lifetime.

By starting conversations early, parents can establish trust, set expectations and create a safe, judgment-free environment for their children to ask questions and seek guidance. These early discussions begin a lifelong dialogue that can help children make healthy choices.

“Parents are the single strongest influence in a child’s decision whether or not to use drugs and alcohol,” said Michelle Nienhius, Manager of Prevention & Intervention Services at OSUS. “When we start the conversation early, we show children that it’s safe to ask questions and talk openly, and that makes them far less likely to turn to risky behaviors later on.”

South Carolina officials recommend that parents:

• Begin with age-appropriate discussions as early as elementary school, using simple language children can understand.
• Look for teachable moments in everyday life, such as TV shows, movies or news stories.
• Ask open-ended questions and listen without judgment to encourage honest dialogue.
• Revisit the conversation often; prevention is not a one-time talk, but an ongoing dialogue.

Parents who have embraced early conversations report that children are more comfortable opening up and making informed choices. School counselors and child psychologists also emphasize that proactive, honest communication is one of the most effective prevention tools available to families.

“Waiting until middle or high school to talk about drugs and alcohol is often too late,” said Nienhius. “Kids are already absorbing messages from friends, social media and pop culture. Parents who start the conversation earlier help their children make sense of those messages and choose a healthier path.”

South Carolina parents and caregivers can find conversation starters, tip sheets and expert guidance through Open Conversation SC, a statewide resource designed to help families talk about substance use in a supportive way.  Visit openconversationsc.com or call 803-896-5555 for more information.

About the BHDD Office of Substance Use Services

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities' Office of Substance Use Services ensures the availability and quality of a continuum of substance use services to improve the health status, safety and quality of life of individuals, families and communities across South Carolina.  For more information, visit bhdd.sc.gov/office-substance-use-services.