Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2006
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Brian Hughes

KNOWLEDGE IS THE BEST WEAPON IN WAR ON DRUGS

I had the opportunity to participate on the City of Penticton Task 
Force on Substance Abuse this past year.

I feel the crux of the substance abuse issue in Penticton was voiced 
by the RCMP representative on the committee when he stated "Most of 
our efforts are focused on the supply, of which there is no end. The 
only way to change things is by reducing the demand. Then the supply 
will go away."

It is relatively easy and visible to go after the suppliers since 
more police presence and high profile busts makes good press. However 
controlling the demand, that is changing behaviour; now we are 
talking something that is really difficult.

We talk to young kids now and try the usual techniques on teenagers 
these days but how well are these approaches working? If we go by 
recent statistics, it might be inferred that a different approach is 
warranted. It would appear that Penticton has a very serious cocaine 
use problem and it is my opinion that we need to employ different 
tactics to attempt to stem its growth.

As I was sitting on the committee, I came upon a book called The 
Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are 
Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids by Dr. 
Madeline Levine (Harper Collins). Dr. Levine has a practice in Marin 
County, California which is a wealthy suburb of San Francisco.

She found that the affluent teenagers have become a new at-risk 
cluster. Despite their material resources, such teenagers experience 
among the highest rates of depression, substance abuse, and anxiety 
running as high as 22 per cent or three times the national rate.

Girls are more prone to suffer internally, while boys tend to act out 
with drug abuse and conduct problems.

Dr. Levine noted two key factors leading to dysfunctional teens among 
the affluent: The first is achievement pressure. The second is 
emotional isolation from parents. She observed that parents are over 
involved as far as grades and performance go, but they are often too 
busy for down to earth conversation with their teens that would help 
their inner self growth.

Levine has warnings for over-intrusive 'helicopter parents', 
so-called because they constantly hover over every aspect of their 
children's lives, for example going into their school to challenge a 
teacher about a mark their child has received. Although they are 
trying to help, they are actually damaging their offspring's development.

She suggests leaving children alone so they learn how to handle 
difficult situations which may help them acquire independence, coping 
skills, a sense of right and wrong, and a sense of who they are. The 
hope is these healthier children may be more resistant to the lure of 
illegal drugs and this will reduce the demand for these drugs.

As the relatively more expensive drug cocaine seems to be the drug of 
choice here, I started thinking that perhaps her research may be 
relevant to us in Penticton. Perhaps our rising land values and lack 
of affordable housing may be skewing our child rearing population 
into a more affluent group.

Cocaine use is popular as it is harder to detect and conforms to the 
image of keeping body weight down and being "cool." This image has 
been glamorized by Hollywood and use is now being seen in younger 
teenage stars.

Dr Levine's top tips:

- - Appreciate your children as they are. Don't waste time trying to 
create the perfect child you wish you had;

- - Don't damage their self-esteem by criticizing their efforts too 
often. Don't reject them -- that feeds self-hatred;

- - Basic warmth between a parent and child -- hugs, kisses, listening, 
words of empathy -- is the first pillar of parenting;

- - Discipline is vital. Be consistent; that helps kids develop self-control;

- - Spend time together. Eat your evening meal together as often as 
possible, and involve your children in as many rituals as possible, 
such as worship or sport.

As I mentioned, controlling demand is much more difficult but I am 
convinced this is the only way to truly improve the substance abuse 
situation here, especially cocaine use.

I have contacted Dr. Levine personally and she has expressed an 
interest in helping us if there is an interest. I think parents in 
this community may benefit from having her visit here to tell us 
personally what her research has found and what we can do to avoid 
putting our kids at risk.

If you would like to hear what Dr. Levine has to say, please contact 
the City Hall (490 2400) reception to express your interest and we 
will endeavour to bring her to town.

Our only defence against this scourge is knowledge.

Brian Hughes,

Penticton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom