Pubdate: Tue, 10 Oct 2006
Source: Rensselaer Republican, The (IN)
Copyright: 2006 The Rensselaer Republican
Contact:  http://www.rensselaerrepublican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4309

PREVENTION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS

The 12-year old sitting next to your son may be the 1 of 10 middle 
schoolers who already has tried alcohol. By 10th grade, half of 
15-year-olds have experimented with alcohol and may be encouraging 
your child to use it, too. Our roads are unsafe, with an estimated 3 
million youths aged 12 to 20 driving under the influence of alcohol each year.

Drugs are another problem. Of the adults who used marijuana for 
several years, a few said they started before turning 12, and more 
than half report using marijuana for the first time between the ages 
of 12 to 17, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA), the lead Federal agency for 
improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, 
addiction treatment, and mental health services in the Unites States.

"These numbers from SAMHSA prove we must do a better job preventing 
underage drinking and drug use for both our own kids and for other 
young people. For sure, we know that before age 12, kids need to know 
how to refuse alcohol and drugs," says the Partners for Drug Free 
Jasper County. "Effective prevention is the same-whether the focus in 
cancer, diabetes, or kids using alcohol. They all require education 
to change attitudes and behavior. Prevention works. We can start 
protecting kids better by making our community safer."

This includes protecting children from violence on streets and 
playground, preventing bullying, or prohibiting alcohol and drugs at 
school. Safety also includes offering a variety of supervised youth 
activities that help young people stay busy while building skills and 
self-confidence. In addition, volunteer activities can help young 
people feel pride in "giving back" to their community.

Communication is important-youth who don't use alcohol say their 
parents are a major factor in that decision. Young people benefit 
when parents talk with them about many things, including family rules 
for alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

You are important. You are invited to join Partners for Drug Free 
Jasper County. The organization sponsors many activities in the 
county including the Pioneers Clubs at each high school. This club 
encourages kids to stay drug free. For more information about 
Partners for Drug Free Jasper County call 9887-4225.

SAMHSA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has 
a variety of free materials that can be ordered from its National 
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. Call 1-800-729-6686 
or 1-800-487-4889, or visit www.samhsa.gov.

Specific publications include Building Blocks for a Healthy Future 
for 3-6-year-olds and their parents and McGruff the Crime Dog's 
Surprise Party for 7- to 9-year-olds and their parents. Several Tips 
for Teens on individual drugs and booklets on marijuana and ecstasy 
provide information for family and group discussion.

Too Smart to Start is written for parents of 9- to 13-year-olds. Both 
the book Keeping Youth Drug Free and the Web site A Family Guide to 
Keeping Youth Mentally and Drug Free are for all parents. The Family 
Guide is located at www.samhsa.family.gov.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman