Just Say Know: Talking with Kids about Drugs and Alcohol [Paperback]

Cynthia Kuhn (Author), Scott Swartzwelder (Author), Wilkie Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

From the authors of Buzzed and Pumped, a no-nonsense guide to what kids should know to make healthy decisions.

All of our children deserve the chance to be as bright, successful, and healthy as they can be. But our kids are threatened by the wide availability of alcohol and other drugs in our society. Everyone agrees that the best protection is education, but exactly what do you say? Just Say Know gives parents, educators, and health professionals powerful tools to talk with kids about how alcohol and other drugs interact with their minds and bodies. In a simple, easy-to-read format, it teaches adults what they need to know about a wide range of drugs. For each type of drug the authors suggest conversations that help lead children to choose freedom from drug abuse. For everyone who has a role in the life of children, Just Say Know is an informative guide to teaching kids about staying healthy and making the right decisions when faced with the attractions of drugs and alcohol. 8 pages of color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

To talk to teens about drugs and alcohol, argue the authors of this straightforward book, parents first need to know the facts themselves. Beginning with some age-appropriate general suggestions on opening communication lines, this nicely organized work goes on to explain how drugs affect the brain and how possession of even small amounts of these substances can lead to dire legal consequences. Each of the remaining chapters focuses on a particular drug group, including alcohol, caffeine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, nicotine, steroids, and stimulants. Information on the most important things to know about the drug and on how to talk to kids about it is included for each substance. Informative without being preachy, this very useful book will arm parents for their own war against drugs. Candace Smith
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

An extremely valuable resource . . . must reading for every parent and adult who works with young people. -- Ellen Morehouse, ACSW, CASAC, CPP, Executive Director, Student Assistance Services

Every parent in America should own a copy of this book!....Wonderful, practical and essential. -- Kathy McCoy, Ph.D., author of The Teenage Body Book and Life Happens

The best reference of its kind . . . Reading this book is one of the best things parents can do for children. -- Mimi Fleury, Founder, Community of Concern

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393322580
• ISBN-13: 978-0393322583
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Resource Since Parenting For Prevention, June 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Say Know: Talking with Kids about Drugs and Alcohol (Paperback)

Best resource since Parenting for Prevention

This book is the best resource I have found linking drug and alcohol use to brain function and brain dysfunction. Best of all, it is written in a way that parents can understand how it applies to their kids and use it. The stress on clear and appropriate communication without fear tactics is itself clear and without fear tactics. The info on drugs is excellent and, most of all, the authors are knowledgeable parents themselves and understand the role of parents and the issues they and their children face around drug and alcohol use.

This book gets across that the job of "prevention" is long-term; it requires the parent to KNOW the subject. The book is 100% reality and is knowledge based rather than authority based. Myths about many drugs are laid to rest. By dealing with facts, parents and kids reduce risk. Whether a drug is legal or illegal, soft or hard, liquid or pill, it's best to know the ingredients, their effects and side-effects.

I worked with kids for 30 years and then with parents whose kids were in trouble with drugs and alcohol for another 10. This book is the best new resource combining experience and science on this most difficult topic in at least 10 years.

Drug and alcohol use are primarily health and safety issues, not criminal issues. Over 60% of kids use, over 60% are not criminals. Just say "NO" has not worked, Just Say KNOW can.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book For Parents of Pre-Teens, July 6, 2006

By 

C. Ford (Charlotte, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Just Say Know: Talking with Kids about Drugs and Alcohol (Paperback)

I purchased this book looking for ways to talk to my boys (we have 10-year-old twins) about drinking, drugs, and smoking. What I didn't know is that there is an entire section on inhalants, (sometimes known as huffing). This is something that I know nothing about because this wasn't an issue when I was growing up. Children are most vulnerable to inhalants between the ages of 9 and 12, and because regular household items are used, it is not something that they have to got out and buy, and it they are not illegal.
This book is an excellent resource for parents. Book includes pictures and is VERY informative. It also tells you what to look for if you suspect your child is using.
This book should be mandatory reading for all parents!