DRUG PROOF YOUR KIDS!

Dorit Perlin wants every parent in Valemount to take a course on drug
proofing their kids. Perlin is the Child and Youth Mental Health
Councillor of Valemount and McBride.

She knows the statistics about drug use in Valemount. She also knows
how parents tend to be unaware of the exposure their children receive
to drugs. "Drug proof your kids is a program that was developed in
Australia and has been so successful there that a Canadian
organization decided to fund it here," said Perlin.

The program is known to be most effective with younger kids, but she
encourages parents with teenagers to attend as well.

"If you are a parent and drug proofing your kid is something that
you've thought about, no matter what age your kid is, this is a relevant tool."

Perlin has been working with children and youth for 13 years and has
been a parent for 5 years. She learned tools and tricks that she
didn't have with this she could use immediately with her child.

"This workshop offers tricks that help parents influence their
children's lives," she said. "I don't know a single parent who
doesn't want to influence their children's life."

"Even if drug use is a part of your family's life, this program has
great tools for parenting."

"On the first day of mytraining we did an exercise to show us how
well we know our kids. We loved the exercise and the conversation
that occurred," she said. "It really works."

The program has statistics for Canada, British Columbia and Valemount.

"Drugs are a part of our life and a part of our kids' lives," she said.

Perlin said that all most all children raise their hand when asked if
they have been exposed to drugs, but when parents of those kids are
asked if their children have been exposed to drugs, few raise their hands.

"It is a reality for our children. Parents need to have support to
deal with it," she said. "We all need to know how to address this."

She said that there is a prevention, intervention and relapse
prevention aspect to the program.

"When parents don't act on the reality of their children's lives,
that is when their children's lives get out of control," she said.

"This program doesn't guarantee that kids will not be exposed to
drugs, but it will give you concrete tools to help your children make
healthy choices."

The first meeting is tentatively set for November 6 at the meeting
room in the Valemount Arena. For more info call Dorit Perlin at 566-9107.

"This is an opportunity for everyone in the valley to learn tricks
that will help them influence their children's choices," she said.