PROF FOCUSES ON PROBLEM OF METH USE

Family Dynamics Seen As Key To Her Research

Feelings of personal discomfort always come up when I admit I smoked
pot. Not because I did it. Everyone I knew did it. My discomfort is
in giving the false impression I was somehow radical or rebellious in my youth.

Really, I only smoked pot -- and rarely -- to avoid looking the
dweeb. I was too afraid of being caught by the cops; too much the
control freak to get really stoned.

Booze? Well, that's a different story. A story for another day. But
in recent years, I've told my children all about my vices and
failings. Never made myself out to be either rebel or paragon.

Studying Meth Abuse

Was I right in being open?

Lori Harach suspects so, but is determined to find out.

The University of Alberta professor is starting her research into
adolescent abuse of crystal meth and into the family dynamics behind
it. Harach says there is little research to date on the reasons why
kids begin using crystal meth. Even less on family influence over drug use.

"Most of the research dollars go into treatment and public
awareness," says Harach. "We don't know anything yet about prevention."

What we do know is that crystal meth is gaining ground these days
because it's cheap and produces a long-lasting high. We also know
crystal meth is a particularly malicious substance.

Targets The Front Lines

It attacks and degrades the pleasure centres in the brain, making
crystal meth use self-perpetuating. Users feel less pleasure from
everyday things, so they turn to meth for a sense of well-being.
Albeit a deadly one.

Her research on family dynamics is intriguing because it targets the
front lines of the problem. Doesn't matter how many cops you hire,
how many laws you enact, how much money is put into treatment, if you
don't cut off the steady supply of new drug users, the problem won't go away.

The reasons why kids get into crystal meth are obviously complex.
Some come from bad homes. Many don't.

But all adolescents struggle for a sense of identity and independence
by doing things that set themselves apart from their parents. They
push boundaries and seek thrills -- highs -- in ways that are not
always safe or legal.

It's long been believed that kids who tend to stay out of serious
trouble are those who are closely monitored by parents. But Harach
raises the bar on that notion. New research shows the most successful
families are ones where kids volunteer information to parents on
their coming and going and doing.

"It's important for parents to establish a precedent for openness of
communication," she says.

In traditional families, parents set all the rules, applied them
strictly and dealt out punishment. On the other extreme are families
where parents indulge children and treat them as equals, as friends.
The former allowed no room for discussion; the latter, no rules to discuss.

Harach suspects her research will show a more balanced approach is
best for keeping kids out of trouble. In other words, rules and
consequences should still be established, but kids must be allowed
legitimate say in structuring them.

Marilyn Mitchell, director of youth services at AADAC, encourages
parents to open a discussion about drugs as soon as kids are old
enough to understand. Go to the AADAC site, read the material
together and discuss it.

Ask your kids how they really feel about it. At some point, you might
also ask your kids how they feel about your drinking. Address it, so
you don't sound like a hypocrite.

Mitchell says it's OK for parents to talk about their own
experiences, so long as they're not glorified. Parents should openly
express their feelings, including their fears about drugs.

The discussion should not be done to create panic, guilt or shame in
children. Explain to them the concept of choices. Give them the
confidence to make good ones.

The goal of frank and open discussion is to create mutual respect
between parent and child, as well as providing adolescents with the
sense they can talk to their parents about anything.

I am far from being a perfect parent. I can't count the number of
things I'd redo, if I could turn back time. One of the terrible
truths of life is that wisdom often comes at the end of a project,
not the beginning.

But at some point I learned it was far better to talk to my kids
about things -- and really listen -- than to rant and lecture.

What can you do to inoculate your kids against crystal meth?

Lori Harach puts it best: "It's more than a message. It's a relationship."