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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 19 A series answering parents' toughest questions when raising a teen Keep the conversation going. See the complete article and get tips to help raise your teens at HVParent.com/ RealTalk Dr. Paul Schwartz Professor of psychology and education Patrice Athanasidy Mother of 3 from Westchester Adolescence is a critical, at-risk period for substance use! When discussing drugs with your teen, scaring them is usually a tactic that will immediately turn them off from listening to you. Speak intelligently about the risks. When discussing opioids as opposed to other substances, they should be made to be aware of the dangerous outcomes. If you suspect that your child or their friends are potentially using opioids, you should educate them about Naloxone or Narcan and how this lifesaving drug can reverse the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose - potentially saving a loved one's life. Pharmacies that sign up to dispense Naloxone are required to sell the medication to anyone (of any age) that requests it. A doctor's prescription is not required, and recipients do not need to provide a photo ID. I talk to my children about the dangers of taking drugs, but I have also talked with them about how to deal with a friend taking drugs. I make sure they know that taking care of the person is more important than worrying about getting in trouble. Safety always comes first. Naloxone or Narcan can temporarily revive those with a drug overdose. Patients need healthcare assistance after taking the drug even if they look revived and well. This is an important piece of any conversation, so that teens do not hesitate to take action. A quick reaction is often the difference between life and death. Teens need to know how to handle the situation calmly. That is why they need a plan. I have compared a plan for caring for a friend with a drug overdose with knowing where the fire exits are in a new building. A plan before an emergency is always a good idea. How do I talk to my teen about what to do if a friend overdoses?