Messages from Drug Free Charlotte County

Your Teen Is Vaping: What Should You Do Next?

Do you have a teen who you just found out is vaping? Or are you worried that your teen may start vaping?

If so, my hope is that this article will help you navigate the topic, keep communication open, and work through some of the next steps you can take.

Stay Calm

If you have just found out that your teen is vaping, the first thing to do is stay calm. Even if you need to step away for a little while and take some deep breaths, give yourself time to process what you have learned.

It is important not to overreact. A strong reaction can cause your teen to shut down or become less likely to come to you when they are dealing with other difficult situations in the future.

As difficult as it may sound, you can also look at this as an opportunity—not only to help your child, but to strengthen your relationship and communication with them.

Timing Is Everything

Yes, the conversation needs to happen, but it may not need to happen the minute you find out.

Think about a time when you are both relatively relaxed and not at the end of a difficult day. Maybe it is during a meal, while taking a walk, or during another time when you naturally have an opportunity to talk.

Be aware of the audience as well. Your teen may not feel comfortable having this conversation around siblings, friends, or other people.

If your teen is not vaping, you can also use natural, age-appropriate conversations to talk about vaping and help them understand the risks before they are faced with the decision themselves.

Listen

This is a conversation that requires a lot of listening—not just talking.

Try asking open-ended questions instead of questions that can be answered with just “yes” or “no.” You might ask:

- “What do your friends think about vaping?”
- “What makes you want to vape?”
- “How did you first get started?”
- “What do you like or dislike about it?”
- “Do you feel like it is difficult to stop?”

The goal is not to interrogate your teen. You are trying to understand what is happening in their world.

Learning more about why your teen is vaping can help you understand what kind of support they may need. It may also help you identify things such as peer pressure, stress, or other challenges that could be contributing to their vaping.

Most importantly, try not to interrupt or immediately correct them while they are talking. Listen first. You can always have a second conversation later.

Know the Facts

When you talk with your teen about vaping, it is important to provide accurate, current information.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can affect the developing brain, including areas involved in attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes can also contain harmful substances.

It is also important to understand that nicotine dependence can make stopping difficult. If your teen says they are having a hard time quitting, take that seriously. They may need support rather than simply being told to stop.

Because information and products can change over time, make sure you are using reliable, up-to-date sources when talking with your teen.

Set Clear Expectations

It is important to set clear family expectations around vaping.

Let your teen know that you do not approve of vaping and explain the boundaries you have established. If there are consequences for breaking those rules, make sure they are realistic, appropriate, and something you can consistently follow through with.

Try to keep the focus on helping your teen make healthy choices rather than using consequences simply to punish them.

Get Help

If your teen is struggling with nicotine dependence or having difficulty stopping, you do not have to figure it out on your own.

Start by talking with your child's pediatrician or other healthcare professional about the best way to support your teen.

If you are in Florida, Tobacco Free Florida also offers Live Vape Free, a program designed to provide teens and the adults supporting them with information, tools, and resources related to quitting vaping.

Tobacco Free Florida Website

Remember: Keep the Door Open

Finding out that your teen is vaping can be upsetting, frustrating, or even scary. But your response can make a difference.

Your teen needs to know that you take vaping seriously while also knowing that they can talk to you about what is going on.

You may not solve everything in one conversation—and that's okay.

Keep listening. Keep talking. Keep the door open. 

-Jennifer Powell

 Prevention Services Manager

 Drug Free Charlotte County

Medication Safety

Medication safety may not always be something we think about as parents, but it is an important part of keeping our children safe. Children and teens can naturally be curious about medications, so it is important to help them understand that medications are not something to experiment with or share. There are several simple steps parents and caregivers can take to teach children about medication safety and help prevent accidental or intentional misuse.

Talk About Medication Safety

One of the most important things we can do is talk openly with our children about medications. Teach them that medications should only be taken as directed by a doctor or other healthcare professional, or according to the instructions on the label.

Talk with your children about the risks of taking more medication than directed, taking someone else's medication, sharing medication with others, or combining medications without first talking to a healthcare professional. It is also important to discuss the potential dangers of combining medications with alcohol or other substances.

When having these conversations, consider showing your child the instructions on a medication bottle and explaining what they mean. Encourage your child to ask questions, and ask what they may have heard about medications from friends, classmates, or social media. Most importantly, listen without judgment. Creating an environment where your child feels comfortable asking questions can help keep the conversation open in the future.

Model Safe Medication Use

Children learn a great deal by watching the adults around them. When you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, use it according to the directions and, when appropriate, explain to your child that you are taking it as directed.

You can also use everyday opportunities—such as giving your child a medication prescribed for them—to reinforce safe medication practices. Remind them that medications should only be taken by the person they were prescribed or intended for and should always be used according to the directions.

Store Medications Safely

Safe medication storage is another important way to protect children. Medications should be kept out of sight and out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet or other secure location.

Even medications that are commonly found in the home can be harmful when they are taken incorrectly. Keeping medications secured can reduce the risk of accidental exposure, misuse, or a child taking medication out of curiosity.

Remember to consider where you store medications at home, including medications kept in purses, nightstands, bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, or other easily accessible locations.

Dispose of Medications Properly

Proper disposal of medications is another important part of medication safety. If you have medications that are expired, unwanted, or no longer needed, look for an approved medication take-back or disposal location in your community.

Avoid disposing of medications in ways that are not recommended for that medication. Proper disposal helps prevent accidental exposure and helps keep medications out of the hands of children, teens, pets, and others who may be harmed by them. It can also help protect the environment.

Charlotte County provides medication disposal options through designated locations, and residents can also check with local pharmacies or law enforcement agencies for available medication take-back services. Charlotte County's Solid Waste Division identifies unused medications as household hazardous waste and provides information about appropriate disposal.

Charlotte County Medication Disposal

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Medication Disposal Drop Box Locations

Please check with the location before visiting to confirm what types of medication are accepted and whether there are any current restrictions.

• 25500 Airport Road
  Punta Gorda, FL 33950
• 3110 Loveland Boulevard, Building A
  Port Charlotte, FL 33980
  Loveland location
• 11051 Wilmington Boulevard
  Englewood, FL 34224
• 17755 Curry Preserve Drive
  Babcock Ranch, FL 33982

Other Medication Disposal Locations or Services

 CVS Pharmacy

• Address: 4478 S Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
• Details: Features a secure CVS Pharmacy Medicine Disposal Box for unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications.

 Walgreens Pharmacy

• Address: 3001 S Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
• Details: Offers onsite medication disposal envelope services

For the most current information about medication disposal options in Charlotte County, families can also contact the Charlotte County Solid Waste Division at 941-764-4360.

A Note About Sharps

Medications and needles/syringes require different disposal methods. Charlotte County has a separate program for household sharps, including needles and lancets. Sharps should not be placed in household garbage or recycling.

Start the Conversation

Medication safety is not a one-time conversation. As children grow, they may encounter new medications, new situations, and information from friends or social media. Continuing to talk openly about medication safety gives children the knowledge and confidence they need to make safe choices.

By talking openly, modeling safe behavior, storing medications securely, and disposing of medications properly, parents and caregivers can take important steps to help keep children safe.

-Jennifer Powell

 Prevention Services Manager

 Drug Free Charlotte County