SUBSTANCE ABUSE STILL A PROBLEM

Substance abuse continues to be a significant problem in our society.

Every parent wants the best for their child and giving kids the skills they
need to avoid experimenting or regularly abusing drugs is a priority.

Samhsa (2005) has shown through its research that best practices can be
established to help our kids make sound and healthy choices with respect to
substance abuse.

Best practices are those strategies, activities, or approaches which have
been shown through research and evaluation to be effective at preventing
and/or delaying drug abuse.

The seven practices include:

- - Raise Awareness - what drugs are out there?

- - Sound parenting skills

- - Role modeling

- - Social skills

- - Improved academic skills

- - Community involvement

- - Strengthen norms through sound and defensible policies - at home and
school.

Over the next few months this series will deal with each practice
individually and provide clear, research based advice for parents.

Finally, thanks goes to both Glenn Mitchell, managing editor at The Morning
Star, and Patrick Nicol, general manager at KISS FM.

Both of these gentlemen have been wonderful supporters of Partners in
Prevention.

* Doug Rogers is substance abuse counsellor for the Vernon School District.