THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN TALK TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS

Do we have drugs in Annapolis Valley? Should we really be talking to
our kids about drugs? Do they have questions about drugs? The answer
to all of these questions is a resounding YES. I recently traveled to
some of the local schools to complete a workshop with Grade 5 and 6
students about drugs.

At the beginning of my workshop I placed a brightly covered box at
the back of the classroom and explained to the students that if they
had a question they wanted to ask but did not feel comfortable asking
in person they could write it down and put it in the box, and I would
post the questions and answers in their classroom another day.

I also stressed to these students that they did not have to provide
their name. This was just a way to get answers if they felt they
needed some. At the end of my workshop, when I emptied the box, I
found it completely full. Some of the students had written not one
question but several. This leads me to explain to parents and
community members that we cannot get rid of drugs, (just look in our
medicine cabinets), instead we have to prepare our children on how to
deal with drugs when they encounter them.

First, we must keep the lines of communication open. We as parents
have to be non-judgmental. In essence we must be the question and
answer box. We must provide age-appropriate information on drugs, and
be sure to take advantage of opportunities to talk about drugs when
they present themselves. If alcohol is mentioned on a TV show, talk
to your child about it.

Part of the workshop was scenarios. The students performed role plays
on how to say "NO." Give your child the actual words they should use,
and review possible methods of getting out of difficult situations
while "saving face." Also, establish a clear family position on drugs
and explain the reasons why your family has this position.

I provided each student with a written contract that outlined their
commitment to living a healthy, drug-free life. I asked each student
to take this contract home and review it with their care givers and
sign it with them when they felt they understood the importance of
such a contract. We also reviewed the consequences of drug use on
body, mind, and society.

In closing, the most important thing you can do to make your child
ready to deal with drugs is build their self esteem and discuss what
makes a good friend. Please feel free to contact me at 665-4481 or
e-mail me at rodena.renaud@rcmp-grc.gc.ca with any questions or
concerns you may have about this topic or any other topic that
affects our youth.

Rodena Renaud is Community Program Officer for the RCMP Annapolis
County Detachment.

Her weekly column YOUR COMMUNITY focuses on issues of interest for
Nova Scotian youth and the broader community.