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Drugs - Let's Talk About Them
Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jan 2006
Source: Wasaga Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 1996-2005 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact: http://www.simcoe.com/sc/wasaga/contact/v-scv3/
Website: http://www.simcoe.com/sc/wasaga/v-scv3/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3885
Author: Dr. Charles Gardner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
DRUGS - LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM
As parents of children and teenagers, we do what we can to keep them
safe.
So, what can we do when it comes to drugs and our children? We can
start by being honest and talking to our children about them.
The fact is drugs are an everyday part of our lives. From over the
counter medications like headache pills to cough drops, our children
have learned from an early age that drugs can make them feel better.
They also see tobacco and alcohol used around them, whether that's by
family members or by those they see on television or in the movies.
And, they are experimenting themselves.
According to the 2005 Drug Use Among Ontario Students survey, which
looked at drug use of the past year among students in Grades 7 to 12,
62 per cent have drunk alcohol, 22.7 per cent report binge drinking
and 26.5 per cent have tried cannabis.
More than one quarter of students in Grades 7 to 12 report being a
passenger in a vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking. And 22
per cent report being a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone who
used drugs prior to driving.
Research shows that young people who have interested adults in their
lives tend to delay experimentation with drugs and alcohol. The longer
that delay, the less likely someone is to develop a long-term
substance abuse problem. Interested adults want to know what kids are
thinking, feeling and doing.
Talking doesn't require any special equipment or training and it
doesn't cost anything, yet talking frankly about drugs can be tough
for many parents. Sometimes we're afraid we won't know the answer to a
difficult or awkward question. Sometimes we're worried we won't have
the right information. Sometimes we're so busy waiting for "the right
moment" that we miss the chance to talk.
Opportunities to talk are all around us. Even a couple of minutes can
make a difference. In the car, during commercials, at half-time or
intermission, over dinner or the dishes; you'll be surprised how easy
it can be to find an opening.
Sometimes, it can even be a news story or a scene in a movie that acts
as a trigger to a discussion. And if you don't know the answer, maybe
that's the opportunity for you and your child to find it together.
If most of your opportunities to talk come while you are on the move,
program a list of topics into your cell phone or write notes to
yourself. When the material is at hand, and the moment is there, seize
it.
Encourage your children to ask questions about drugs and alcohol and
answer those questions honestly. It takes a little determination, and
some practice, but it can be done and the results are worth it.
For more information about talking to your children about drugs, call
Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 Monday to Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 6 p.m. and talk with a public health nurse.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin