Pubdate: Mon, 06 May 2002
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Buffalo News
Contact:  http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Authors: Abigail Van Buren and Jeanne Phillips

PARENTS FALL SHORT

Dear Abby:

I am a health teacher in a middle school. Part of the curriculum calls for 
the students to learn about the dangers of substance abuse. I asked my 
13-year-old students if their parents had talked with them about drugs. To 
my surprise, most of the students volunteered that their parents had not 
shared their views on drug abuse. They left that to the health teacher: Me!

I decided to tell my students this: "I will use short words and sentences 
that we all understand. Do not try drugs. Do not start them. If you think 
that no one cares about you, you are wrong. I care about you. I think about 
all of you every day and worry about your future. I will listen to you. I 
don't care what your hair looks like. I don't care if you have a pierced 
nose. I care about you as a person. Drugs will destroy your future. I, for 
one, want you to have a great one."

Abby, I wish parents understood that their children need to hear this 
message directly from them - not from me.

- - Health Teacher in Massachusetts

Dear Health Teacher:

You're right. And if parents are at a loss for words, they should save your 
letter and read your heartfelt plea to their children. It's one of the most 
important messages they can convey, because silence implies indifference
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MAP posted-by: Beth