MYTHS, TRUTHS ABOUT DRUG USE

The topic in last week's article concerned teenagers and automobiles.
Although you can't be with your teenager every time he or she gets into a
car, you can teach them about the importance of wearing a safety belt. You
can also influence a teenager when it comes to important decision-making.
Your words as a parent, grandparent, family member or interested adult can
make a difference. An old saying goes something like, "It takes a village
to raise a child." Those few words have never been truer as the youth of
today are growing up in a dangerous world. Things are much different today
compared with growing up in the '70s, '60s or before.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and his staff are working hard to
help prevent substance abuse in our area. In addition to instituting new
programs within the court system, several presentations and publications
have been offered. According to a 2002 report on underage drinking in
Massachusetts, it was found that 78 percent of high school students and 45
percent of seventh- and eighth-graders said that alcohol was easy to get.
Those percentages are probably similar when asking about drugs too.

The Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse offers several free
publications that provide tips for adults to use when speaking to teenagers
about substance abuse. You can check out their Web site at
www.maclearinghouse.com for information. I have ordered some copies, which
should be available soon at the Police Station. They also provide a 24-hour
help line, which offers prevention and referral information at 1-800-327-5050.

I thought I'd share some of the material from the publication, "Seven Ways
to Protect Your Teen From Alcohol and Other Drugs," in this week's column.
This publication contains information about myths, facts and suggestions
that parents can use.

Here are seven myths about teens, alcohol and other drugs. If you're a
parent, have you ever fallen for one of these myths?

Myth No. 1: "My kids are good kids. They won't get into alcohol or drugs"

The Truth: Good kids can make bad decisions.

Myth No. 2: "They'll grow out of it and be OK."

The Truth: The younger the age when kids start drinking, the greater the
odds that they'll become dependent.

Myth No. 3: "We live in the suburbs. Drugs are a city problem."

The Truth: Teens in the suburbs use illegal drugs just as much as teens in
the city do.

Myth No. 4: "I'm teaching them to drink responsibly."

The Truth: Alcohol can damage the developing brain.

Myth No. 5: "I can't stop my kids from doing what I did at their age."

The Truth: Teens who drink are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors.

Myth No. 6: "Weed isn't that harmful."

The Truth: Marijuana has been linked to mental illness.

Myth No. 7: "If I set limits, my kids won't be popular."

The Truth: Kids whose parents are involved in their lives are less likely
to use drugs or alcohol.

As spring approaches, so does the season where kids tend to be at a greater
risk. We often associate "peer pressure" with children, but it happens with
adults too. Take some time to discuss these matters with your kids before
they get involved with alcohol or drugs. If you don't have the information
you need, find it.