DRUGS WILL COME AND GO, BUT PARENTS CAN BE THERE

The new "designer" drugs reaching the streets of Northwest Florida are
more than just a headache for law enforcement. They reinforce the need
to utilize the most potent weapon in the anti-drug arsenal.

Parents.

Many of us have heard the radio commercials touting parents as the
"anti-drug." Research supports that. Contrary to what many might
believe, children do listen to mom and dad. If they deliver an honest,
informed anti-drug message, their children will listen.

More, mothers and fathers can influence their children`s behavior by
paying attention and by exerting needed control. Parents can have a
positive impact by:

Setting deadlines and enforcing them. If the child is to be home by 11
p.m., he or she must be home. If a problem arises, a phone call should
be mandatory.

Showing a consistent interest in where their kids are going, with
whom, and what they are going to do. Sure, kids are reluctant to give
much information, and they don`t always have firm plans. But parents
who are in the habit of asking help set boundaries and are more alert
to signs of trouble.

Just paying attention. Often children who are starting to use drugs
show changes. School performance suffers, they can be moody, new
friends emerge and old ones disappear.

New drugs will continue to pop up, and parents can`t always stop
children from trying drugs. But by being there and paying attention,
they can have on impact on the choices their children make.

In other words, if parents do what parents are supposed to do, good
things can happen.