DO-NOTHING DADS BLAMED FOR DRUGGED-OUT TEENS

A remarkable new study on teen drug use has given a swift kick in the pants
to do-nothing dads.

And it comes as B.C. parents are poised to pack their kids off to school
again.

The study says teens who don't get along with their fathers are
significantly more likely to smoke, booze and abuse drugs.

The conclusion?

Parent power may be the most under-used weapon in the battle against B.C.'s
own chronic drug problem.

The study, in fact, offers hope to B.C. parents worried sick about their
children becoming prey to pimps and drug-dealers.

It suggests that speaking to kids about drugs at an early age may be
parents' best defence against them.

Their chance to influence their child's thinking, however, diminishes as he
or she gets older.

Some 34 per cent of the 12-year-olds surveyed reported excellent
relationships with their parents. That fell to 14 per cent by the time the
children turned 17.

The survey of 2,000 teens and 1,000 parents was done by the National Centre
on Addiction and Substance Abuse at prestigious Columbia University (CASA).

It found that children raised by single moms were 30 per cent more likely
to use drugs than those living in supportive, two-parent homes.

However, kids in two-parent homes who had poor relationships with their
fathers had a 68-per-cent greater risk.

More than twice as many teens said they found it easier to talk about drugs
to their moms than their dads.

CASA chairman Joseph Califano said: "Every father should look in the mirror
and ask: How often do I eat meals with my children? Take them to religious
services? Help them with their homework?"

What do you think of the study's findings? Write or e-mail us and let us know.