PARENTS CAN HELP KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS

Dear Abby: I need your help -- and help from America's parents -- in
talking with their children about the dangers of drug abuse. From car
crashes to lack of productivity in school, to destroying friendships and
families, children need to know what drugs REALLY mean. They are
disastrous for everyone concerned.

As this new year begins, I'd like parents to resolve to do 10 specific
things to keep their families drug-free. I call these the 1999 New Year's
Resolutions to Raise Drug-Free Kids.

Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Dear Barry: Your resolutions will help parents who are hesitant to discuss
illegal drugs with their children. It's a vital dialogue to begin. A
Newsweek survey of youth ages 11 to 17 found that parents (86 percent) and
grandparents (56 percent) have the greatest influence on young people --
more than TV, movies and music (which scored only 22 percent). Read on:

Resolutions For Raising Drug-Free Kids

1. START: It's never too early to discourage your children from trying
drugs. Protect them by letting them know you care. Even with very young
children, this plays an important role in protecting them from drugs.
Resolve to start right now.

2. CONNECT: The new year is a time for new beginnings. Begin building
lines of communication. Resolve to do things as a family. Spend time
together, eat meals together and converse with your kids. Read together,
play a game, attend services. Show your children that having fun doesn't
require drugs.

3. LISTEN: Take a more active interest in your children's lives. Know what
they're up to. Resolve to spend at least 30 minutes a week LISTENING to
your kids' cares and concerns.

4. EDUCATE: Spend at least 30 minutes in the next 30 days explaining to
your kids how drugs can hurt them and destroy their dreams. Then,
reinforce that message all year!

5. CARE: Spend at least a few minutes each day telling and showing your
children you care about them. Make sure they know how proud you are they
are drug-free. Tell them you are always there for them -- no matter what
happens. Make sure they know to come to you first for help or information.

6. LEARN: Children today are more sophisticated. In order to educate your
children about the danger of drugs, you must first educate yourself. In
many cases, you and your children can learn side-by-side. Sit down
together in the coming months and learn about the risks drugs pose.

7. SET LIMITS: Show your children you care by declaring limits: THIS
family doesn't do drugs. THIS family doesn't hang around with people who
do. Enforce these limits. If you say "no drinking and driving," it applies
to you, too. Be consistent.

8. GET INVOLVED: Ensure that your community's streets, playgrounds and
schools are safe and drug-free. Become active in your PTA. Start or join
a community watch group or anti-drug coalition.

9. LEAD: Set an example. Don't drive drugged or drunk; don't let your
friends drive impaired. If you, yourself, have a substance abuse problem,
use the support of your loved ones to get help.

10. BE AWARE: Look for the warning signs that your child may be developing
a substance abuse problem, and seek help.

READERS: Tomorrow I'll print the warning signs to look for.