Halloween is a time for everyone to get in the spirit of being spooky – from dressing up in creepy costumes to taking in frightening flicks. For most people, participating in all Halloween-related activities is just a typical part of the Fall season.
While Halloween is supposed to be fun and exciting, it can also be a time where the temptation to use drugs and the accidental ingestion of drugs can be more likely. For some people, getting high on Halloween can increase their experience. For others, they might get some laced candy in their bag and not even know it until it is too late. Either way, it is important that you and your family are prepared for what things outside of ghosts and goblins that this Halloween might hold.
How to Make Halloween Drug-Free
There is no reason why you and your loved ones can’t enjoy this ghoulish holiday without having to worry about drug abuse being a factor. There are a number of things that you as an adult can do to help safe guard your younger loved ones from using drugs on Halloween. These things can include:
- Talking about drug abuse ahead of time – Prior to sending your loved ones out trick-or-treating or to a Halloween party, talk to them about commonly abused drugs. Keep them informed about what they might look like, how they can be presented at Halloween, and what the dangers of using them are. Education is power when it comes to preventing drug abuse.
- Teach them to say “no” – Let your kids know that there are many ways to say “no” if approached to do drugs. From simply just saying the words and walking away to saying something such as, “that stuff is dangerous, you shouldn’t use it either”, it is important to give them more than one out when attempting to refuse an offer.
- Check their candy – No matter how old you are, chances are your parents or loved ones checked your candy after trick-or-treating – and for good reason! In today’s world, many candies can be laced with drugs or appear to be tampered with. By having an older individual check out the candy, this risk level can be easily determined and accidental ingestion can be prevented.
Halloween is supposed to be a night filled with screams and horror – but also laughter and fun. Remember to keep your loved ones in the know about the dangers of drugs on this night and every night, but also keep the night fun-filled!
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https://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm187021.htm
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
