Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005 Source: Wilson Daily Times, The (NC) Copyright: 2005 Wilson Daily Times Contact: http://www.wilsondaily.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1452 Author: Rochelle Moore Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?195 (Partnership for a Drug Free America) PARENTS: THE ANTI-DRUG FOR CHILDREN The drug culture of the 1970s, when marijuana use was common among hippies, bikers and college students, is far different today. Children are getting high at younger ages and have easier access to drugs, and parents lack up-to-date information that will help them stem the tide, state and national leaders said Wednesday during a drug abuse prevention conference in Wilson. Wilson Families in Action was co-host of a two-day statewide conference of the N.C. Parent Network this week where volunteer and professional leaders met to learn ways to increase their prevention efforts. About 50 people attended Wednesday's session. "The culture of drug use in this country has moved from a farming base to pharming," said Beth Wilson, regional director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Children and teens are finding many of their drugs of choice at home -- from parents' medicine cabinets. Others find them easily on the Internet. Drugs, such as cough syrup, inhalants, depressants, stimulants and steroids, are common and used by children as young as elementary school. "What is coming up on the radar screen are prescription drugs," said Donna-marie Harris, media campaign director for the Partnership for a Drug-Free North Carolina. "As parents, we tend to be their suppliers. Unfortunately, parents don't think they have to talk about drugs to their kids until they leave middle school and enter high school." Harris and Wilson said parents need to discuss the implications of substance abuse at a much younger age today. Wilson offered some of the latest research, information and advice during a Wednesday session: "Parents: YOU Are The Anti-Drug." "We know that parental involvement is the key to drug prevention," Wilson said. "The reality is only three of 10 children are getting what they need from home." Thirty-two percent of teens learn a lot about the risk of drugs from their parents, according to a 2004 national tracking study. Today's parents see less risk in drugs, fewer parents are talking to their children about drugs and parents underestimate their children's exposure to drugs, the study concluded. But today's parents are more likely to have been a part of the late 1970s drug culture -- making them more experienced to talk with their children, Wilson said. One of the problems with that experience, however, is that some parents don't understand how the landscape of today's drug culture has changed in the last 30 years. Phil Mooring, executive director of Wilson Families in Action, said the local agency is interested in being a part of the solution. "We want you to know we want to partner with you," Mooring said. "This is what we want. We want parents to get it. This is the tool we need." The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is getting ready to roll out a multi-million-dollar media campaign that will help better inform parents and work to reduce drug use in children and teens. Part of the campaign includes television commercials, some of which are expected to air in North Carolina this summer, showing parents how to discuss drug use with their children. The commercials will be aired across the nation and in several major North Carolina markets, including Raleigh-Durham, and should be seen in Wilson, Harris said. The national and state partnerships also provide other resources to parents, including a host of information on the Internet. The national site can be found at www.drugfree.org and the state site is www.drugfreenc.org. The Web site for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers research-based information for parents, prevention tips, what to do when drug use is found, and an online community of parent partners. Parent partners have experienced drug use in their children and are able to offer support to parents experiencing similar situations. "If we can help our kids get through their teenage years without trying drugs, they are likely to never use drugs as an adult," Wilson said. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman