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Take Action! Preventing alcohol and other drug problems in your family

In any family, it's important to spend time together. When you share interests and activities, your family ties grow stronger. Families that make time for one another are less likely to have problems with alcohol and other drugs. But sharing activities together doesn't just happen; you have to work at it.

Things You Can Do:

1. Have family traditions, such as celebrating birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. Also, find other reasons for the family to celebrate, like a good score on a test, a new job, a new pet, talking about a problem, another school year, a new season or a great idea!
2. Involve everyone when you plan things to do. Sometimes you may have to compromise to make sure everyone's happy and feels included.
3. Join in the fun, even when you're not doing one of your favorite activities. Participating in other family members' activities shows interest and respect.
4. Set aside time to get together regularly. If you're really busy, try planning to eat at least one meal a week together (with the TV off and no one reading the paper!).
5. Use these times together to talk about lots of things — things that concern you. Make sure all family members are given a chance to speak and be heard.
6. Plan activities that strengthen the bond between family members, like camping, going to a ball game, concert, bowling or fishing, even if they don't involve the whole family.
7. Be spontaneous, go with the flow and be flexible! Often, the best times are those that haven't been planned. Decide on a whim to visit a community fair or the circus, or just enjoy an unexpected beautiful day together.
8. Involve everyone in dealing with difficult times, as well as the good times. Even a crisis can bring your family closer together.
9. Listen carefully for times when family members ask for or want to help — like when someone asks for help with homework, wants a story read, wants to go shopping or run errands. He or she may just want to spend some time with you!