Power of Parents ® Middle School Handbook
Chapter 2
When it Comes to Alcohol and Cannabis Middle schoolers may hear that alcohol or cannabis is risky, but their personal
process alcohol differently than adults, middle schoolers may feel stronger effects with smaller amounts, increasing their risk for accidents and poor decision-making. Cannabis, on the other hand, can interfere with brain development — impacting learning, attention, and decision-making. Regular use during adolescence has been linked to difficulties with problem solving and lower academic performance. Since their bodies and brains are still developing, middle schoolers are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of these substances. This makes open, honest conversations even more essential.
experiences — or what they can see around them — often influence them more than facts. They might think, “my parents drink,” or “my older siblings use cannabis and nothing bad has happened to them.” Talking openly about these substances, rather than assuming they already know, helps them develop a better understanding of the real risks involved. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol can impair judgment, coordination, and memory from the very first drink. Because their bodies
Alcohol Negatively Impacts:
Cannabis Negatively Impacts:
Attention
Memory
Judgment
Decision- Making
Learning
Coordination
The Bottom Line Middle schoolers are beginning to seek independence, but they still look to parents, older siblings, and friends for guidance. Since youth often justify risky choices by saying “everyone is doing it,” parents can counteract this by sharing real statistics and reinforcing healthy behaviors. Your role as a parent is to keep the conversation going. Even if your child doesn’t seem interested now, the messages you share now will help lay the foundation for healthy decision-making in the future.
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