Welcome back to a new school year. A very important discussion that needs to take place in your home is the old drug talk. Parents play a key role in reducing teen substance abuse. More than half of all Canadian kids will try drugs at least once between Grades 1 and 12, but many will choose not to experiment. Please talk openly with your child about substance abuse and set a no-use rule for all drugs and alcohol. Remember, with the advent of newer drugs like fentanyl talking to our kids about illicit drugs is more important than ever. [continues 489 words]
Gordon Clark wrote an excellent column in Monday's paper. The pro-marijuana side argument is full of partial truths and, in some cases, untruths. I work in five secondary schools and have seen first hand the trouble regular marijuana use causes our youth. Pot may not kill you but it will kill your dreams. Last month, I attended a conference on drug and alcohol abuse in Boise, ID. Leaders from both the state and school system in Colorado, which legalized marijuana in 2012, presented, and the impact from legal, recreational marijuana has been significant on kids, especially kids in school. Thanks for publishing the column; I'm sure the pushback has be significant. Doug Rogers, School District 22, Vernon [end]
Researchers have identified important factors that can led to teen drug abuse. These risk factors include things such as a chaotic home, drug-using friends, and ineffective parenting. Conversely, protective factors include parental involvement, success at school, a strong family bond, a no-use drug policy at home and appropriate role modeling from parents. Parents should remember to model the kind of person they want their child to become. Keep these tips in mind: * Be a living, day-to-day example of your value system. Show the compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want your child to have. [continues 231 words]
Illicit substances, including tobacco and alcohol, are easily available to children and adolescents. As a parent, you have a huge impact on your child's decision not to use drugs. In most cases, children in elementary school have not begun to use alcohol, tobacco, or any other kind of drug. That is why elementary school is a good time to start talking about the dangers of drug use. This is the best time to start to introduce difficult topics and set clear expectations. It is crucial to prepare your child for a time when drugs will be offered. [continues 228 words]
As a youth substance abuse counsellor, I see many kids every week and I will limit my comment to this demographic. Marijuana is a drug of illusion for young people. They believe that it does not affect them. Recent research has revealed some very important information about marijuana which all families should consider. Scientific literature shows that cannabis affects young people in many negative ways. It is linked to lowering attention span, reduced reaction time and co-ordination. Further, the American Medical Association (AMA) has come out strongly against the legalization and sale of marijuana. [continues 239 words]
The magnitude of the health and social problems related to drug abuse can never be underestimated and we must deal with this issue with all resources that we have. In the Vernon school district we take drug education very seriously. However we cannot provide substance abuse education alone. The fact is, today's youth are particularly vulnerable to drug use as they are easily influenced because of their age and the constant pro-drug message. Many of our kids are ill-equipped to deal with these pressures effectively. Messages that promote smoking, marijuana use and alcohol consumption surround them from a variety of media sources, particularly, social media. Our kids are the most valuable assets we have and we need to protect them. Education on the dangers of drugs is crucial and that message needs to come from home and school. You are your child's most important teacher and what you say and do helps shape your kids opinion towards substance use and abuse. [continues 54 words]
Parenting is a difficult job, probably the toughest - you never get a break! As parents we often consider the potential problems that might harm our children. These what if's are a source of great stress. In this article I will briefly describe some common what if's and provide some sage (hopefully) advice for each concern. . Drug/alcohol experimentation - what if I do nothing. Kids need boundaries. They want to know what you think, they need your advice. More importantly, your silence is permission. When kids don't talk to their parents about drugs they get their 'facts' from other teenagers. [continues 419 words]
Summer is the dangerous time of year when it comes to teens and marijuana. More teens try marijuana for the first time in June, July, and August than any other time of the year (www.theantidrug.com). The number of new underage drinkers and cigarette smokers also jumps during the summer months. The increase in substance abuse is likely due to teens having more unsupervised and unstructured time in the summer. Research shows that unmonitored teens are four times more likely to use marijuana or engage in other risky behaviors (www.bchealthguide.org). [continues 482 words]
Substance abuse continues to be a significant problem in our society. Every parent wants the best for their child and giving kids the skills they need to avoid experimenting or regularly abusing drugs is a priority. Samhsa (2005) has shown through its research that best practices can be established to help our kids make sound and healthy choices with respect to substance abuse. Best practices are those strategies, activities, or approaches which have been shown through research and evaluation to be effective at preventing and/or delaying drug abuse. [continues 103 words]
As a parent, you are well aware of the many challenges that youth face growing up in Canada today. Drug use affects everyone - communities, families and individuals - and instilling strong values is an effective protective factor for preventing many high-risk behaviors. Despite the problems that drugs present, your leadership provides a source of hope for your child. Parents profoundly shape the choices teens make about drugs. Research shows that youths who discuss the danger of substance abuse with their parents are less likely to use drugs. In a 1999 Gallup Poll, more than half of teens said that parental support helps them deal with problems related to drugs and alcohol. [continues 99 words]
As a parent, you are well aware of the many challenges that youth face growing up in Canada today. Drug use affects everyone - communities, families and individuals - and instilling strong values is an effective protective factor for preventing many high-risk behaviors. Despite the problems that drugs present, your leadership provides a source of hope for your child. Parents profoundly shape the choices teens make about drugs. Research show s that youths who discuss the danger of substance abuse with their parents are less likely to use drugs. In a 1999 Gallup Poll, more than half of teens said that parental support helps them deal with problems related to drugs and alcohol. [continues 84 words]
