RED RIBBON WEEK: VIGILANT PARENTS OFFER THE MOST
EFFECTIVE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE AND TECHNIQUES

Schools across the nation take up the fight against youth alcohol and
drug abuse with the annual Red Ribbon Week, which began Saturday and
runs through Halloween.

The week shares an anti-drug message with dress-up days and activities
aimed at reaching kids of all ages.

The valiant efforts of local schools in this ongoing battle are much
appreciated.

However, the best tool for keeping kids clean is right in their own
homes.

Vigilant parents offer the most effective anti-drug message and
techniques, experts say.

Through conversations and monitoring behavior and activities, parents
have shown to have the greatest success rate in protecting kids from
drugs and other risky behavior.

As the first true teacher in a child's life, parents can both give the
message and make sure the child follows through.

It's not fun - but utterly essential - to be "the bad guy" who demands
to know where your child is going, who he is going with and when he
plans to return home. Parents reinforce how much they care by
double-checking a teen's story and then waiting for him to walk back
through the door.

At the moment, the teen may think his parents are "totally uncool" for
maintaining such close tabs and taking away opportunities for "fun."
True appreciation of the parent's watchful eye won't arise until that
teen grows up and has children of his own.

So how do parents begin the conversation to protect kids against
alcohol and drug abuse?

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Behavior Change Expert
Panel offers these tips:

- - Be absolutely clear with your kids that you don't want them using
drugs. Ever. Anywhere. Don't leave room for interpretation. And talk
often about the dangers and results of drug and alcohol abuse. Once or
twice a year won't do it. Get more specifics on setting the rules.

- - Be a better listener. Ask questions - and encourage them. Paraphrase
what your teen says to you. Ask for their input about family
decisions. Showing your willingness to listen will make your teen feel
more comfortable about opening up to you.

- - Give honest answers. Don't make up what you don't know; offer to
find out. If asked whether you've ever taken drugs, let them know
what's important: That you don't want them using drugs. Get the facts
on drugs by visiting the Drug Information section.

- - Use TV reports, anti-drug commercials, or school discussions about
drugs to help you introduce the subject in a natural, unforced way.
Get more specifics on using teachable moments.

- - Don't react in a way that will cut off further discussion. If your
teen makes statements that challenge or shock you, turn them into a
calm discussion of why your teen thinks people use drugs, or whether
the effect is worth the risk.

- - Role-play with your teen and practice ways to refuse drugs in
different situations. Acknowledge how tough these moments can be. Get
more specifics on using role-playing.