Safe Homes Parent Network of Nemaha County
Youth today face a difficult challenge in resisting the use of alcohol and other drugs. As a parent, you can help your children and others remain alcohol and drug free. You are invited to join the Safe Homes Parent Network, a program sponsored by Nemaha Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (NADAA) Coalition.
The Safe Homes Parent Network is an effort to alleviate some of the anxiety parents face as our sons and daughters meet new friends and become more independent. This is an "opt-in" program meaning that, as parents, you can choose whether or not to participate. Participants will be included in a "Safe Homes Directory" listing the names of the parents who share similar kinds of concerns and who agree to a set of common expectations. Very simply, we are asking parents of children in grades Pre-K through 12th to sign a pledge, and by doing so become part of a Safe Homes Parent Network within Nemaha County. We believe this can be an effective tool for parents who wish to be proactive in keeping their children drug and alcohol free.
As a parent joining in this network, you are asked to sign a form pledging the following:
- I will actively chaperone all underage parties and activities in my home.
- I will make sure my home is drug free.
- I will not serve or allow alcoholic beverages to be served or be on the premises at underage parties/activities at my home.
- I will not permit any youth who arrives or appears to be intoxicated to drive and I will alert appropriate parents.
- I will monitor websites, movies, video games and television viewed by youth in my home.
- I welcome calls from other parents whose children/adolescents have been invited to my home.
- I will set expectations for my children by knowing where they are going, who they are with, what their plans are, and when they are to return home.
Question: "If I join Safe Homes, does it mean that I can't have alcohol in my home?"
The pledge states that you will not allow anyone under the age of 21 to have or consume alcohol in your home or on your property. If you are over 21, a good role model and practice low-risk alcohol consumption, it is your choice whether or not to consume alcohol. Insist that all youth wait until they are 21 to make this important decision about alcohol use.
Some benefits of joining the Safe Homes Network and taking the pledge:
- Positive parental influence on children
- The promotion of parents supporting other parents
- Challenging the attitude among youth, among parents, and among the community that
underage use of alcohol is normal, healthy behavior
- Strengthening communication among parents and their children/adolescents
- Creation of positive cultural change in our community surrounding these issues
If you have further questions, please contact our office staff at 402.274.9485 or email the NADAA coordinator.
"Safe Homes Parent Network" is a collaborative effort of the NADAA Coalition, and used with permission of PRIDE-Omaha.
Some tips for parents:
Elementary School Parent:
- Teach your child/children the risks of alcohol and other drug use. Because alcohol is legal for adults to drink, my child/children may be confused about the risks young people face if they drink alcohol.
- Help your child/children deal with peer pressure. Children may need encouragement and "permission" from their parents to say no to negative peer pressure.
Middle School Parent:
- Be a good role model. Your habits and attitudes may strongly influence your childŐs ideas about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
- Know who your childŐs friends are. When possible, know their friendsŐ parents. Next to you, friends are the biggest influence on children of this age.
- Make family rules. It is helpful for children to know the specific rules about not using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. It will also be helpful for children to know what the consequences will be for using them.
High School Parent:
- Refuse to allow unsupervised parties or gatherings of youth in your home or on your property.
- Do NOT serve or allow anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Do NOT permit the use of illicit drugs by anyone no matter their age in your home or on your property.
- Be receptive to other parents informing you of any drug use, alcohol consumption or any other risk-taking behavior your child may be involved in. Be willing to let other parents know if you become aware of their child participating in these risky behaviors.
- Call other parents for information when your child is invited to a party. Welcome calls from other
parents who are concerned about their own children.