PREVENTION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS

The 12-year old sitting next to your son may be the 1 of 10 middle
schoolers who already has tried alcohol. By 10th grade, half of
15-year-olds have experimented with alcohol and may be encouraging
your child to use it, too. Our roads are unsafe, with an estimated 3
million youths aged 12 to 20 driving under the influence of alcohol each year.

Drugs are another problem. Of the adults who used marijuana for
several years, a few said they started before turning 12, and more
than half report using marijuana for the first time between the ages
of 12 to 17, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA), the lead Federal agency for
improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention,
addiction treatment, and mental health services in the Unites States.

"These numbers from SAMHSA prove we must do a better job preventing
underage drinking and drug use for both our own kids and for other
young people. For sure, we know that before age 12, kids need to know
how to refuse alcohol and drugs," says the Partners for Drug Free
Jasper County. "Effective prevention is the same-whether the focus in
cancer, diabetes, or kids using alcohol. They all require education
to change attitudes and behavior. Prevention works. We can start
protecting kids better by making our community safer."

This includes protecting children from violence on streets and
playground, preventing bullying, or prohibiting alcohol and drugs at
school. Safety also includes offering a variety of supervised youth
activities that help young people stay busy while building skills and
self-confidence. In addition, volunteer activities can help young
people feel pride in "giving back" to their community.

Communication is important-youth who don't use alcohol say their
parents are a major factor in that decision. Young people benefit
when parents talk with them about many things, including family rules
for alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

You are important. You are invited to join Partners for Drug Free
Jasper County. The organization sponsors many activities in the
county including the Pioneers Clubs at each high school. This club
encourages kids to stay drug free. For more information about
Partners for Drug Free Jasper County call 9887-4225.

SAMHSA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has
a variety of free materials that can be ordered from its National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. Call 1-800-729-6686
or 1-800-487-4889, or visit www.samhsa.gov.

Specific publications include Building Blocks for a Healthy Future
for 3-6-year-olds and their parents and McGruff the Crime Dog's
Surprise Party for 7- to 9-year-olds and their parents. Several Tips
for Teens on individual drugs and booklets on marijuana and ecstasy
provide information for family and group discussion.

Too Smart to Start is written for parents of 9- to 13-year-olds. Both
the book Keeping Youth Drug Free and the Web site A Family Guide to
Keeping Youth Mentally and Drug Free are for all parents. The Family
Guide is located at www.samhsa.family.gov.