Pubdate: Thu, 28 Sep 2006
Source: Milford-Miami Advertiser (OH)
Copyright: 2006 Milford-Miami Advertiser
Contact:  
http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=Local&prof=1119
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4219
Author: Deborah Eckert, Community Press Guest Columnist

THERE'S 'PREVENTION POWER' IN EARLY EDUCATION

If you're a parent, you've likely worried -- or may  someday worry -- 
that your children will use drugs. You  may even hope against hope 
they don't start.

But hope alone can't ease that concern. Talking can.

Right now is a good time to take up the topic and start  your kids on 
the road to some good decision-making.  Parents have more influence 
than they realize over  whether or not their kids will use drugs.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,  children who 
learn about the risks of drug abuse from  their parents or caregivers 
are 36 percent less likely  to smoke marijuana, 50 percent less 
likely to use inhalants and 56 percent less likely to use cocaine.

So how do you start the conversation? Parents may be  cautious about 
not pestering their children. But  educating your children about 
drugs and alcohol is not  pestering -- it is parenting.

First, consider the timing. What is the appropriate age  to introduce 
the topic of drugs and abuse? It may  surprise parents that 
discussions probably should start  as early as elementary school. 
Kids get information  early and often from many sources. They also 
repeat what they see and hear. Your own use of tobacco, drugs  and 
alcohol will not go unnoticed.

And one discussion is not sufficient. Keep the topic on  your kids' 
minds -- all the time. Ongoing discussion  from elementary school all 
the way up to high school  graduation and beyond is optimal.

Second, keep the facts handy. Children need to know  what's true and 
what's myth about drugs. For example,  the physical effects of 
inhalants can include hearing  loss and damage to the central nervous 
system, brain,  liver and kidneys.

When it comes to alcohol, consider this: Alcohol is the  leading 
cause of depression. It can also increase risk  of heart failure, 
stroke, high blood pressure and many  other medical problems -- even 
cirrhosis of the liver.  And mixing can be harmful -- even fatal. 
More than 150 medications can interact harmfully with alcohol.

Third, remember that talking alone is not enough. Be  involved with 
your children's lives. Praise good  behavior and let your children 
know how much they are  loved and valued. Set limits with clear rules 
and  consequences for their actions.

Know what your children are doing, get to know their  friends and be 
aware of how they are spending their  time. Even if your children do 
not like you keeping  close tabs on their activities, do it anyway. 
It is  merely good parenting.

Children are more likely to be tempted to use drugs and  alcohol when 
they are not feeling good about  themselves. Be alert to how your 
children's moods and  keep communication lines open at all times. If 
you  notice any changes in your child's behavior, choice of  friends 
or a downward trend in their grades, take  action. Question your 
children about what is going on.  Talk to their school counselor and 
other adults who  have contact with them such as a youth group leader 
or  soccer coach. If a drug problem is established, get  professional 
help as soon as possible.

While nothing is foolproof, talking with your kids  about the dangers 
of drugs and alcohol abuse can go a  long way toward helping them 
make good decisions. It  also arms them with information they can 
pass along to  their friends, too.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine