Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2005
Source: Amesbury News (Amesbury, MA)
Contact:  
http://www2.townonline.com/amesbury/
Address: 72 Cherry Hill St., Beverly, MA 01915
Copyright: 2005 Community Newspapers Inc
Author: Officer Tom Hanshaw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Note: Officer Thomas Hanshaw is the Amesbury Police Department's crime 
prevention officer. He writes a weekly column for the Amesbury News.

MYTHS, TRUTHS ABOUT DRUG USE

The topic in last week's article concerned teenagers and automobiles. 
Although you can't be with your teenager every time he or she gets into a 
car, you can teach them about the importance of wearing a safety belt. You 
can also influence a teenager when it comes to important decision-making. 
Your words as a parent, grandparent, family member or interested adult can 
make a difference. An old saying goes something like, "It takes a village 
to raise a child." Those few words have never been truer as the youth of 
today are growing up in a dangerous world. Things are much different today 
compared with growing up in the '70s, '60s or before.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and his staff are working hard to 
help prevent substance abuse in our area. In addition to instituting new 
programs within the court system, several presentations and publications 
have been offered. According to a 2002 report on underage drinking in 
Massachusetts, it was found that 78 percent of high school students and 45 
percent of seventh- and eighth-graders said that alcohol was easy to get. 
Those percentages are probably similar when asking about drugs too.

The Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse offers several free 
publications that provide tips for adults to use when speaking to teenagers 
about substance abuse. You can check out their Web site at 
www.maclearinghouse.com for information. I have ordered some copies, which 
should be available soon at the Police Station. They also provide a 24-hour 
help line, which offers prevention and referral information at 1-800-327-5050.

I thought I'd share some of the material from the publication, "Seven Ways 
to Protect Your Teen From Alcohol and Other Drugs," in this week's column. 
This publication contains information about myths, facts and suggestions 
that parents can use.

Here are seven myths about teens, alcohol and other drugs. If you're a 
parent, have you ever fallen for one of these myths?

Myth No. 1: "My kids are good kids. They won't get into alcohol or drugs"

The Truth: Good kids can make bad decisions.

Myth No. 2: "They'll grow out of it and be OK."

The Truth: The younger the age when kids start drinking, the greater the 
odds that they'll become dependent.

Myth No. 3: "We live in the suburbs. Drugs are a city problem."

The Truth: Teens in the suburbs use illegal drugs just as much as teens in 
the city do.

Myth No. 4: "I'm teaching them to drink responsibly."

The Truth: Alcohol can damage the developing brain.

Myth No. 5: "I can't stop my kids from doing what I did at their age."

The Truth: Teens who drink are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors.

Myth No. 6: "Weed isn't that harmful."

The Truth: Marijuana has been linked to mental illness.

Myth No. 7: "If I set limits, my kids won't be popular."

The Truth: Kids whose parents are involved in their lives are less likely 
to use drugs or alcohol.

As spring approaches, so does the season where kids tend to be at a greater 
risk. We often associate "peer pressure" with children, but it happens with 
adults too. Take some time to discuss these matters with your kids before 
they get involved with alcohol or drugs. If you don't have the information 
you need, find it.
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MAP posted-by: Beth