HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR KID TODAY?

Parents should consider talking to their children about drugs,
alcohol and tobacco even before they start school, according to a
Joplin health authority.

"It is probably a good thing to talk to kids even in preschool, such
as when a family is watching a TV program or movie together and
happens to see someone smoking a cigarette or anything having to do
with drugs or alcohol," said Roger Paige, clinic director of College
Skyline Center, outpatient mental health center at 1230 N. Duquesne.

"I think parents can get a word in about what that means or what it
could lead to and how it is not a good thing."

Parental Communication

When it comes to talking to children about the dangers of drugs and
alcohol, Amber Porter, president of Moms Offering Moms Support Club
of Joplin, stresses the importance of communication.

"Make sure your kids are comfortable coming to talk to you about
anything," she said. "Mainly tell them that drugs, alcohol and
tobacco are bad for your health and to not even try them because once
they get addicted, it is very hard to quit."

Porter said she has already talked to both of her children - Kammi,
9, and Korby, 5 - about tobacco and alcohol. She said that age 10 is
a good time to start talking to them about illegal drugs.

Besides illegal drugs being addictive and bad for your health, she
said parents should tell their children that they are against the law
and emphasize that they can go to jail for using them.

School Support

Schools also play a role in helping children make good decisions when
it comes to drugs and alcohol.

Brian Henderson and James Kelly, Joplin Police Department officers,
will kick off another year of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Program on Tuesday.

"This is for every fifth-grade student in the district who chooses to
participate," said Henderson, who added that in addition to all
Joplin R-8 fifth-graders, the DARE program will be implemented at
Martin Luther and St. Mary's Catholic schools. "We talk about drugs,
alcohol, tobacco and peer pressure. Kids out there know what is going
on. They see it on TV and everywhere. At the fifth-grade level we try
to catch them low enough before it all hits."

Take A Stand

But parents shouldn't rely on the DARE program alone to help their
kids make the right choices. Paige said that it is important for
parents to take a stand.

"Up until the teen years, parents have more impact on kids than
anyone else," he said.

"Once the child gets to teenage years, then it is a totally different
ballgame, because peers will have the major influence in their lives
rather than adults."

Parents can make the grade in keeping their kids drug-free by
following these tips for SUCCESS:

Stay informed about your teen's progress in school and other activities.

Understand challenges facing your teen as they enter high school.

Communicate with your teen about the harmful physical, mental and
social effects of marijuana and other drugs .

Check in with your teen after school.

Engage your teen in supervised activities.

Set clear rules and let your teen know that marijuana use is unacceptable.

Spend time with your teen and build a sense of connection.

Source: www.theantidrug.com