Start Open Conversations with Your Kids

Not all adult drinks look their age. Talk to your kids.
Watch the Video
Learn to see past the bright colors and playful labels to keep adult cans out of underage hands.
3.3 million teens reported binge drinking in the
past month.
The art of prevention starts with detection. Look for signals like Hard / Spiked /
ABV / 21+
At a glance, alcohol beverages can look like ordinary
seltzer / juice / tea / coffee / soda / energy drinks.

Try a question and see where it leads.

Quick conversations can happen any time: during pickup, homework breaks, or the ride to practice.

How do you know when you need a break or when you’re just avoiding something?

Tell me more.
Have you ever made a quick decision because you felt stressed or rushed?

What happened?
When school gets busy and overwhelming, how do you want to make time for yourself?

How can I help?
If you start feeling overwhelmed this year, who could you talk to?

How can I help?
What’s one goal you have for yourself this year that has nothing to do with grades?

Let’s brainstorm together.
If you felt like a teacher was treating you unfairly, what would you do?

Why?
What’s a trend right now that you just don’t get?

That’s interesting! Tell me more.
Which fictional character actually has really good life advice?

Why’s that?
What’s something people post on social media that feels totally fake to you?

How do you feel when you see that?
If your phone could talk, what would it say about how you’re doing lately?

Why’s that?
What’s something you wish you could say out loud at school but can’t?

What do you do instead when you feel that way?
What would be your “red flag” in a friendship?

What about a “green flag”?
What’s a song lyric or movie quote that just gets you right now?

Why’s that?
Do you think most people are honest online?

Why or why not?
What’s one thing you’d teach in school that isn’t being taught now?

Why do you think that’s important?
Who’s a celebrity you actually think is super down to earth?

And who’s a celebrity you think isn’t?
What’s something adults think teens care about—but actually no one does?

Why do you think adults care?
What would you do differently if no one was watching?

Why’s that?
If your future self could text you right now, what do you think they’d say?

What would you say to your future self?
What do you think I should know about what it’s like being your age right now?

Tell me more about that.
What kind of support do you need if something ever feels off or overwhelming?

How can I be more supportive?
How can we make it easier to talk about this stuff more often?

No wrong answers. Let’s work on it together.
What do you think people your age don’t always understand about pills or vaping?

How does that make you feel?
What would you do if someone you cared about was starting to make risky choices?

What would you want a friend to do if you were the one making a risky choice?
Have you seen anything online that made drug use look “cool” or “normal”?

How did you feel about that?
Have you ever been in a situation where someone offered you a vape, drink, or pill?

How did/would you feel in that moment?
What are some things that make it easier—or harder—to say no?

What can I do to make it easier?
Do you know anyone who’s struggled with drugs or alcohol?

What did you learn from that?
What do people your age think about vaping or using weed?

How do you feel about it?
Do you ever feel pressure to try something just to fit in?

What do you do when you feel that way?
How do you feel when someone jokes about substance use?

Why do you feel that way?

What’s something kind you can do for another student this week?

Great idea. What else?
When you have more than one thing to finish, how do you decide what to do first?

How can I help?
Who can you ask for help when you don’t understand something?

Who else?
What makes someone a good friend at school?

Who’s been a good friend to you?
If someone asked you to do something that didn’t feel right, what could you do?

Let’s come up with ideas together.
What helps you have a really good school day?

How can I help?
If you were a character in a cartoon, what kind of sidekick would you have?

That’s interesting! Why that character?
What would you do if you had a “pause” button for real life?

Why’s that?
Which superhero would you want on your team if something went wrong at school?

What about that hero makes you feel safe?
If you made a new rule for the whole world, what would it be?

Why that rule?
Would you rather eat only ice cream forever or never eat dessert again?

Why?
What’s something funny someone did today that made you laugh?

Go on, tell me more!
What’s a TikTok/YouTube trend or meme that you think is hilarious—or just really weird?

Why do you like it?
If your friend group had a theme song, what would it be?

Why that song?
Who’s someone at school who surprises you—in a good way?

What surprising things have they done lately?
If you made your own TikTok/YouTube challenge, what would it be?

Go on, tell me more!
What’s something adults think is cool that you think is totally cringe?

Why do you think adults like it?
If you could switch lives with a celebrity for a day, who would it be and why?

And who wouldn’t you want to switch lives with?
Have you ever heard someone talk about pills or medicine in a way that seemed confusing?

Do you have questions for me?
What do you think vapes or e-cigarettes are?

Where did you hear about that?
Have you ever seen someone at school or on TV doing something that didn’t seem safe?

How did that make you feel?
If a friend offered you something you weren’t sure about, what would you do?

How would you feel about it?
What would you do if you saw someone using something that could hurt them?

Have you ever seen something scary like that before?
Why do you think some people make unsafe choices, even when they know it’s dangerous?

What would you do if you saw someone making an unsafe choice?
Who would you go to if you ever had a question about something you saw or heard?

How can I make you feel safe?
What helps you make good decisions when you’re not sure what to do?

How can I help?
Have you ever seen someone using drugs or vapes in a show, game, or online?

What did you think about it?
Why do you think movies or videos sometimes show people doing things that aren’t good for them?

How does that make you feel?
What are some things that make it hard to say no?

What can I do to make it easier?

I want to:

Spot potential dangers Know what to say Know their lingo Find activities Learn the facts Get parenting tips

Dangerous By Design

Oct 13

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 17997588885014241

#CheckTheCan: These are sparkling waters. They’re perfectly safe for underage hands. This brand also sells hard seltzers, though, and the cans look similar. Getting the two confused is easier than you might think. So don’t forget to check the can, and be sure you know what’s in your fridges, coolers and pantries.

Then, step 2? Talk with your kids about awareness and the dangers of underage drinking!

#OpenConversationSC #Prevention #Parenting

Aug 18

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18479314477109965

They’re hiding in plain sight, and their bright colorful cans are dangerous by design. Drinks with CBD and THC are available at gas stations and convenience stores near you – right next to energy drinks and sodas.

#OpenConversationSC #CheckTheCan

Jul 27

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18002581415967261

Each of these drink brands began by offering non-alcoholic beverages like seltzer, tea, and soda. Now, they offer “spiked” or “hard” versions, and these beverages pack a dangerous punch that kids (and parents!) may not recognize. ⚠️👀 Watch out for adult drinks that could make their way into underage hands.

#OpenConversationSC #CheckTheCan #Prevention #Parenting #OutOfTheirHands

Learn How to Have an Open Conversation

Open Conversation Tips: Experiences at School

Tips on how to have an open conversation with your children. Learn more at OpenConversationSC.com.

Open Conversation Tips: Experiences at School

December 14, 2023 10:38 am

Open Conversation Tips: Experiences at School

Open Conversation Tips: Talk When It's Comfortable

Open Conversation Tips: Why Open Conversations Matter

Open Conversation SC

Open Conversation SC: Alcohol

Open Conversation SC: Fentanyl

Open Conversation SC: Vaping

Open Conversation Tips: A Message for Nervous Parents

Open Conversation Tips: Create Social Outs

Open Conversation Tips: Four Conversation Starters

Open Conversation Tips: Listen Listen Listen

Open Conversation Tips: Start Talking Early

Talk the Talk

Dec 28

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18114444124593680

Many young people refer to their cannabis pens as a "penjamin," like the name Benjamin. Some use it ironically, while some use it to skirt social media algorithms or watchful eyes! Unlike edibles, cannabis pens provide a dangerous high feeling in minutes. It's important to #KnowTheLingo to prevent underage substance use.

Dec 11

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18105656095629942

The 8-ball emoji 🎱 can be used to refer to cocaine. This originated from "an eighth" of an ounce or 3.5 grams. Parents, #KnowTheLingo to stay aware!

Nov 17

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18018811853607719

The leaf emoji 🍃 is used when texting about marijuana. #KnowTheLingo Other emojis used for this include:
🍁 Maple leaf (similar shape to leaves)
🥦 Broccoli (similar appearance to "buds")
💨 Gust (Represents "puffs")

Activities & Resources

As a parent, you are your child’s biggest influence—so it’s important to have frequent, honest conversations about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. If that sounds scary, try these tools to make it easier.

Conversation Catcher

Talking to your child is as easy as print, cut, and fold with this clever activity. Let fate choose what you talk about next.

Download in English

Conversations Jar

Fill a jar with these conversation starters—and even add your own—so you always have something to talk about.

Download in English

Backpack Conversations

Cut out these conversation starters and put one in your child’s backpack or lunch to encourage later talks.

Download in English

Download in Spanish

Activity Placemats

Print, place and get them talking. These age-appropriate placemats are designed to make dinner table conversations easy and fun.

Download in English

Download in Spanish

Pressure Cooker

Figuring out what to actually say in the moment is tough. Pressure Cooker is all about practicing your options for saying no before you need them.

Download in English

Red Flag/Green Flag

Does a situation seem safe or unsafe? Reassuring or worth stopping to check out more? Read the prompt, decide and discuss.

Download in English

Two Truths and a Myth

Can you tell what's true and what's not? Quiz each other and learn in the process.

Download in English

Roll With It

Let the roll of the dice choose the WHO, WHERE and WHAT happens. Then listen to what each other would do in the situation.

Download in English

Tips for Talking to Your Kids

The Drug Enforcement Administration has developed five tip sheets that parents and other caregivers can use to talk with youth and young adults at different ages. They are based on content from Chapter 4 of the DEA’s publication Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Substance Use Prevention, which the DEA jointly produced with the U.S. Department of Education.

Download in English

Download in Spanish

Kids Will Ask Questions.
Be Prepared to Answer.

You can’t have a meaningful or impactful conversation with your children if you’re not ready with the facts. Use these sources to learn what you need to know to provide honest, accurate information and answer their questions.

View The Drug Guide

How The Brain Responds

Tips to Make Conversations Easier

Jan 21

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18101262904889320

Parents, use these tips to help work through your next big "thing." All teenagers make mistakes. The way you move forward is the important part! #PositiveParenting #Prevention #OpenConversationSC

Nov 22

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 17931978276134691

Whether it’s good grades, respectful behavior, a clean room, or even just a “more-than-one-word” answer to your questions... recognize progress when you see it! Reward what you want your kids to repeat.

#PositiveParenting #OpenConversationSC #ParentLife

Oct 10

Open post by openconversationsc with ID 18084412042763246

Stay positive, talk early and talk often. Open Conversation SC is here to help you guide your family safely! #PositiveParenting #OpenConversationSC

Follow for tips and resources

In the News

Stay informed about what’s happening in the world so you can better understand what your kids are facing—and feel more confident starting important conversations at home.

Prevention Starts With a Conversation: October is Substance Use Prevention Month

October 1, 2026 SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

National Prevention Week: Prevention Starts at Home and in the Community

May 12, 2026 SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services

Quick conversations can happen any time: during pickup, homework breaks, or the ride to practice.

How do you know when you need a break or when you’re just avoiding something?

Have you ever made a quick decision because you felt stressed or rushed?

When school gets busy and overwhelming, how do you want to make time for yourself?

If you start feeling overwhelmed this year, who could you talk to?

What’s one goal you have for yourself this year that has nothing to do with grades?

If you felt like a teacher was treating you unfairly, what would you do?

What’s a trend right now that you just don’t get?

Which fictional character actually has really good life advice?

What’s something people post on social media that feels totally fake to you?

If your phone could talk, what would it say about how you’re doing lately?

What’s something you wish you could say out loud at school but can’t?

What would be your “red flag” in a friendship?

What’s a song lyric or movie quote that just gets you right now?

Do you think most people are honest online?

What’s one thing you’d teach in school that isn’t being taught now?

Who’s a celebrity you actually think is super down to earth?

What’s something adults think teens care about—but actually no one does?

What would you do differently if no one was watching?

If your future self could text you right now, what do you think they’d say?

What do you think I should know about what it’s like being your age right now?

What kind of support do you need if something ever feels off or overwhelming?

How can we make it easier to talk about this stuff more often?

What do you think people your age don’t always understand about pills or vaping?

What would you do if someone you cared about was starting to make risky choices?

Have you seen anything online that made drug use look “cool” or “normal”?

Have you ever been in a situation where someone offered you a vape, drink, or pill?

What are some things that make it easier—or harder—to say no?

Do you know anyone who’s struggled with drugs or alcohol?

What do people your age think about vaping or using weed?

Do you ever feel pressure to try something just to fit in?

How do you feel when someone jokes about substance use?

I want to:

Dangerous By Design

Learn How to Have an Open Conversation

Open Conversation Tips: Experiences at School

Talk the Talk

Activities & Resources

Conversation Catcher

Conversations Jar

Backpack Conversations

Activity Placemats

Pressure Cooker

Red Flag/Green Flag

Two Truths and a Myth

Roll With It

Tips for Talking to Your Kids

Kids Will Ask Questions. Be Prepared to Answer.

Tips to Make Conversations Easier

In the News

Prevention Starts With a Conversation: October is Substance Use Prevention Month

National Prevention Week: Prevention Starts at Home and in the Community

Kids Will Ask Questions.
Be Prepared to Answer.