Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jun 2009
Source: Metro (Edmonton, CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Edmonton
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4475
Author: Jeff Cummings

DRUG TALK EASIER WITH EX-ADDICT PARENTS: STUDY

Moms who have lived with drug addictions and are able to talk about it are
better able to keep their kids away from drugs than parents who place
strict controls on their teenage children, says a study from the
University of Alberta.

Lori Harach, an assistant professor with the university's department of
ecology, headed up a survey that asked 3,530 Alberta students about drug
usage that she said revealed some "surprising" findings.

"It is surprising, because I thought if I am a drug user, that is
something that I want to keep from my kids," said Harach.

"I don't want to promote that, nor I don't want my kids to think it's OK,
but at the same time when these findings came out, this was really
encouraging."

If a child knows that a parent has used drugs, it's better for the parent
to talk to their kids about drug use, regardless about the kind of
relationships they have with each other, said Harach.

But if a parent doesn't talk about drugs to their kids, their children
would more than likely dabble into street drugs, said the study.

The survey revealed that 2,241 teens had used drugs at some point - and of
that number, 75 had mothers who used drugs.

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