Pubdate: Sat, 06 Apr 2002
Source: Bucks County Courier Times (PA)
Copyright: 2002 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.
Contact: http://www.phillyburbs.com/feedback/content_cti.shtml
Website: http://www.phillyburbs.com/couriertimes/index.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1026
Author: Stephen Heath
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n622/a03.html

ASK, DO TELL

Parents, if you want to know about drugs in your kid's life, why not just 
ask them?

Your editorial ("Are you sure about your kid?", March 31) was right on target.

Far too many parents today fail to discuss drugs or drug use with their 
teens. A disturbing trend nationwide is for parents to abdicate their role 
as life guides for their children and opt instead for the school system to 
do the job instead through the use of drug sniffing dogs and invasive drug 
tests.

Parents, if you want to know about drugs in your kid's life, why not just 
ask them? The only logical reason for them to lie or mislead is if they 
distrust the person asking the questions.

If such a lack of trust exists between parent and child, there is work that 
is needed. Solutions to such distrust are not likely to be found at the 
bottom of a urine cup. They come through increasing honest and 
non-judgemental communication.

Stephen Heath Drug Policy Forum of Florida Clearwater, Fla.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager