Pubdate: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 Source: Annapolis County Spectator; The (CN NS) Copyright: 2009 Transcontinental Nova Scotia Media Group inc. Contact: http://www.novanewsnow.com/rubrique-719-County-of-Annapolis.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4699 Author: Rodena Renaud Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN TALK TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS Do we have drugs in Annapolis Valley? Should we really be talking to our kids about drugs? Do they have questions about drugs? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES. I recently traveled to some of the local schools to complete a workshop with Grade 5 and 6 students about drugs. At the beginning of my workshop I placed a brightly covered box at the back of the classroom and explained to the students that if they had a question they wanted to ask but did not feel comfortable asking in person they could write it down and put it in the box, and I would post the questions and answers in their classroom another day. I also stressed to these students that they did not have to provide their name. This was just a way to get answers if they felt they needed some. At the end of my workshop, when I emptied the box, I found it completely full. Some of the students had written not one question but several. This leads me to explain to parents and community members that we cannot get rid of drugs, (just look in our medicine cabinets), instead we have to prepare our children on how to deal with drugs when they encounter them. First, we must keep the lines of communication open. We as parents have to be non-judgmental. In essence we must be the question and answer box. We must provide age-appropriate information on drugs, and be sure to take advantage of opportunities to talk about drugs when they present themselves. If alcohol is mentioned on a TV show, talk to your child about it. Part of the workshop was scenarios. The students performed role plays on how to say "NO." Give your child the actual words they should use, and review possible methods of getting out of difficult situations while "saving face." Also, establish a clear family position on drugs and explain the reasons why your family has this position. I provided each student with a written contract that outlined their commitment to living a healthy, drug-free life. I asked each student to take this contract home and review it with their care givers and sign it with them when they felt they understood the importance of such a contract. We also reviewed the consequences of drug use on body, mind, and society. In closing, the most important thing you can do to make your child ready to deal with drugs is build their self esteem and discuss what makes a good friend. Please feel free to contact me at 665-4481 or e-mail me at with any questions or concerns you may have about this topic or any other topic that affects our youth. * Rodena Renaud is Community Program Officer for the RCMP Annapolis County Detachment. Her weekly column YOUR COMMUNITY focuses on issues of interest for Nova Scotian youth and the broader community. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom