Ways you can help keep your loved one safe, including harm reduction techniques.

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Resources to Help You Help Your Loved One

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Families can prepare to keep a loved one safe from substance use and its consequences. From prevention to harm reduction, we have information and resources to help you promote your loved one’s well-being.

There is more to substance use prevention than people think

Substance use prevention can occur through school health classes, public service announcements, proper storage and disposal of substances in your home, and having Naloxone on hand, but effective prevention requires so much more. Prevention is a cumulative effort of individuals, communities and policies that work together to create awareness, healthy choices and supportive environments.

Effective substance use prevention includes:

Families that provide and foster:

- Quality time together and strong parent-child affection and bonds
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An environment that helps a child manage their emotions, develop relationships and bounce back when there are challenges

- Healthy food choices and opportunities for exercise and play
- A connection with teachers, coaches, faith leaders and other positive role models
- Regular pediatric checkups
- Early intervention when there are concerns about child mental health, bullying and trauma

Schools and communities that provide and foster:

- Adult mentorship, modeling and reinforcement of healthy behaviors
- Safe and engaging extracurricular activities
- Empathic, caring and well-informed educators and community leaders
- Neighborhood safety and supportive community networks

Policies that help families and communities take these protective actions by ensuring:

- Income, food, housing and healthcare stability and security for families
- Affordable and accessible quality childcare and paid family leave for caregivers
- Affordable quality addiction/mental health treatment for caregivers
- Effective early interventions for child mental health problems and trauma
- Psychoeducation, routine screening and referral to services in pediatric visits
- Restrictions on the sale, marketing and access to youth of nicotine, alcohol and marijuana

While substance use prevention is a collective effort, there are steps you can take now to help strengthen your relationship with your child and encourage healthy behaviors:

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Harm Reduction: Reducing risks and increasing safety

Harm reduction is a way for individuals, who are not ready or able to stop using substances, to focus on their well-being and safety. Pat Aussem, Vice President, Consumer Clinical Content Development at Partnership to End Addiction discusses how harm reduction ([link removed] ) is a practical approach to reducing the risks posed by substance use including preventing injuries, overdoses and death as well as the spread of diseases. Some topics discussed are:

Tools and strategies to reduce risks of substance use:

- Fentanyl test strips ([link removed] )
- Test shots or going slow
- Naloxone (e.g., Narcan) ([link removed] )  to reverse an overdose
- Not using substances alone/Brave app ([link removed] )
- Use less after periods of abstinence
- Clean, sterile needles at needle exchanges
- Safe smoking kits ([link removed] )
- PrEP ([link removed] )  to reduce the transmission of HIV
- Not mixing substances
- Using medications like methadone or buprenorphine ([link removed] ) to reduce cravings

How to talk to a loved one about harm reduction:

- Write down and practice what you want to say
- Pick a time for the conversation when you can both be fully present
- Share your concerns with a focus on their health and well-being
- Consider restating any limits you have around substance use (i.e., not using substances in your home)
- Try to listen to their perspective and assess their willingness to try something new; be prepared to negotiate and offer a reward if they follow through
- If your loved one refuses, try to let it go and wait for another opportunity to bring it back up

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