PARENTS NEED TO BE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUTH TODAY

Bombarded with technology, our kids can look up anything on the
internet and they do. They have a distorted view of what is acceptable
and a perception that anything goes when it does not. We have the
world at our fingertips and are exposed to news around the world, both
good and bad. We need to ensure that our kids get the truth: from us.

We don't want our youth to experience bullying, receive cruel text
messages and/or e-mails, think suicide is an answer for anything,
abuse cough medicine, prescription drugs, inhalants, any substance
abuse, or experience the life stressors that our youth live with in
today's world. Electronic or cyberbullying is highly accessible and
can occur any time, both at school and home. Messages are distributed
to a larger audience very quickly. It is often anonymous, encouraging
youth to engage in behaviors they wouldn't do face-to-face. They may
be nervous to report cyberbullying for fear that their time on their
cell phone or computer will be limited. Bystanders and witnesses to
the bullying are anonymous, too, so they don't have to deal with it
face-to-face.

What can we do to help our youth grow to be responsible adults when
there is so much pressure on them? I saw on the news that several
states are spending millions of dollars to educate our youth, sending
them to college, and still too many drop out in their sophomore year,
due to the fact that they aren't prepared. Too often they aren't
prepared for life.

Parents are the still the biggest influence on our youth. We strive to
keep them physically healthy and must also help them keep their brain
healthy. Drug and/or alcohol abuse, risky behaviors, peer influences
and not feeling connected to their community can put our youth at
risk. It is time to talk and there are many resources for getting the
conversation started. ThePartnership@Drugfree.org and
TakeTimetoTalk.org are good on-line resources for parents. The Ely
Chapman Education Foundation has a resource library for families and
there are several resources available through your county library.
"How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid", Joseph Califano, is a good first-step
in understanding the world our youth are growing up in. It is a common
sense approach to expectations for both you and your child.

The Right Path for Washington County, our community coalition,
understands that prevention is more important today than ever before.
With treatment dollar reductions and an investment needed in recovery,
preventing drug/alcohol use/abuse becomes everyone's responsibility.
The entire community is vital when it comes to keeping our youth
engaged, not just at school and at home. Research shows that it takes
7 positive adults to raise 1 child. Further research tells us that a
real sense of community help youth feel that they are supported by
their community. The longer we can put off youth substance abuse
beyond the age of 21, new research tells us they may never use/abuse
in their lifetime. These are promising outcomes for our future generation.

The Right Path is gearing up for Red Ribbon Week in our schools and
community October 25-29. In honor of Enrique Camarena, a DEA Agent who
gave his life fighting drug cartels in New Mexico, a ribbon of red
satin is worn to celebrate living a drug-free life. Several of our
schools are participating, partnering with Marietta College leadership
students as part of Make A Difference Day. College students have
selected this project as they know how important goal setting is to
their future success. Drug and alcohol use/abuse has no place in their
very full lives and they are eager to share the message with our
middle and high school students that they are having fun without drugs.

Parents, you matter. There are no perfect families, we do the best we
can. Learn the facts about drugs and communicate the risks. This is
not the same world we grew up in both the media and drugs have
changed. Tell your kids how much you love them and you don't want
anything bad to happen to them. Monitor your child and check up on
them. They might get mad, but in national surveys, our youth tell us
that they want parents to give them consequences when they get into
trouble, not be a friend. Tell them you disapprove of any drug use.
Use teachable moments.

If you suspect, or find that your child is using and they are doing
poorly in school; friends, sleeping habits, and behaviors are
changing; or if their family relationships are less open, honest; get
focused, take action, show your concern and get professional help:
This is a health issue.

As a mom, I remember when my greatest fears were falls, illnesses,
someone eating an antique bulb off my Christmas tree (this really
happened) and other worries as my children were growing up. Without an
owner's manual, I thought if I could just move them to the next stage
of life, everything would go according to plan.

Remember, there is no owner's manual when we sign on to be parents,
but we will do the best we can.

Cathy Harper is coordinator for The Right Path for Washington County.