Pubdate: Mon, 01 May 2006 Source: Cayman Net News (Cayman Islands) Copyright: 2006 Cayman Net Ltd Contact: http://www.caymannetnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3700 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) PARENTS NEED TO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF DRUG USE Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Council (NDC) Cathy Chesnut said parents, teachers and caregivers need to carefully look for signs that children may be consuming drugs and alcohol. Considering that 31 percent of students in middle and high school consume alcohol, 9.5 percent smoke marijuana, 6.7 uses tobacco, and 6.9 uses inhalants parents need to pay close attention. The statistic of children's misuse of drugs and alcohol were revealed in a survey conducted by the NDC in 2002. The number of children, drinking alcohol has levelled off when compared to the 1998 survey: however, the number of children who have reportedly gone on 'drinking binges' has increased. Ms Chesnut said that many parents do not know what signs to look out for and as a result, children are developing almost foolproof methods of concealing their habits. "These children will wear sunglasses, bring extra clothing to school, bring cologne, they'll do anything to mask what they are doing because they know that what they're doing is wrong," she said. She added that sometimes the evidence is right in front of the adult but they do not know what to look for. Ms Chesnut said that there are times when children even do drugs in the class while the teachers are oblivious to what is happening in front of them. The NDC's CEO said students who snort chalkboard cleaner mask their action by concealing the inhalant in empty bags of potatoes chips. She said that teachers have reported seeing children with empty potato chip bags but they never suspected what was happening. "They see the fluffy whip can around the schoolyard and at home but they believe that the student use them to play-fight. We had to show them how they use it to get high," Ms Chesnut added. She noted too that it is not always easy for parents to monitor their children especially now that the drugs with which they grew up knowing have changed, and the methods of distributing and delivering them have become more efficient. "Certain drugs can be shipped on ordinary mailing stamps to children and the parents won't know that it is happening," she said. On the other hand, Ms Chesnut said that a number of parents are neglecting to take a longer look at and talk with their children about drug use as well. She said that most parents fail to turn up at HSA or PTA meetings where drug related topics are discussed. The CEO said the NDC would be printing brochures for parents and guardians to help update them on what children are up to and what signs to look for to tell if their children are using drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom