AN ANTI-DRUG TACTIC: STAY CLOSE TO YOUR KIDS

NEW YORK -- Research has shown that kids who feel close to their
parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drug and
alcohol abuse, according to the Office of National Drug Control
Policy. Meanwhile, data from the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse at Columbia University reveals a discrepancy between
mothers' and fathers' conversations with their children about drugs.

The center's findings show that 45 percent of teens have discussed
drugs with both parents, another 15 percent had such discussions with
their mother alone and 4 percent with their father alone. The
statistics indicate the need for dads to take a more active role.

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign offers these simple and
straightforward suggestions to keep children away from drugs:

- - Establish and enforce clear rules.

- - Eat meals together as often as possible.

- - Know where your children are at all times and when they'll be home.

- - Praise their positive behavior.

- - Model the behavior you want your kids to learn. Your kids pay as
much attention to your actions as they do to your words.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug
Media Campaign has resources available on its Web site,
www.theantidrug.com, or by calling 800-788-2800 and asking for the
free brochure "Parenting Skills."