KEEP KIDS DRUG FREE THIS SUMMER

Prevention Begins At Home, But Also Takes A Community Effort

Recent articles in the Gainesville Sun offer an alarming glimpse into
summer activities for some of the youths of our community.

On June 5, The Sun reported: "Autopsies in area death investigation cases
documented the presence of cocaine in 44 instances in 2003, the (Medical
Examiner's Office in Gainesville) reported, nearly a 200 percent jump,
compared with 15 cases in 2002 in the same district, which covers Alachua,
Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties."

Also published that same day was another article titled "Teen drug use
rises in summer."

The school year has ended, and with summer here, youths who get bored and
may have more opportunity to be exposed to alcohol and/or marijuana. Data
has proven that there is a spike in substance use in June, July and August
among youths. This fact is alarming for parents, whose work schedules
prevent them from being at home during the day. However, there are ways to
combat this trend and keep our kids drug free.

You can keep youths busy with activities that are not costly and benefit
the youths and the community. Activities such as yard work, gardening,
maybe even a start-up lawn-mowing business. Not only would that keep him or
her busy, but also would provide exercise and some extra spending money.

Volunteering time to a local charity is another way to keep the youths
active and give something back to the community. We have many non- profits
in need of volunteers. Visit the Volunteer Center at
www.volunteergateway.org for more information or to sign up to volunteer.

As a parent, there are many things you can do to identify and prevent
substance abuse. Sometimes, just letting your child know you care about
them shows them they are loved. Spend time together, eat dinner together
and play games together. Show them that there are other ways to have fun
than doing drugs. Take an interest in their life and genuinely listen to
them. Be a role model, and send the message that, as a parent, you will be
there for them no matter what happens.

Prescription drugs pose another problem. Even though they are legal and
serve an important role in the health of the person for whom it was
prescribed, prescription drugs can be fatal if taken inappropriately or
illegally. Do not hesitate to remind your child that it is a crime to be in
possession of drugs which are prescribed for others. Please keep these
drugs locked in a safe place or at the very least, in your possession to
avoid them being abused. Drugs like Ritalin, OxyContin and Valium can be
fatal if taken in a manner other than the instructions indicate or mixed
with other drugs.

Signs of drug abuse can be anything from subtle to painfully obvious. They
include sudden or noticeable personality changes, severe mood swings,
depressed feelings most of the time, dramatic changes in personal hygiene,
sudden weight loss and missing household money or objects. There are many
more signs and any change in behavior should be immediately addressed.
Defeating an addiction is possible and early intervention makes treatment
easier and more successful.

Visit our Web site at www.cornerdrugstore.org for more information on the
signs and symptoms of substance abuse.

Prevention of substance abuse begins at home, but it also takes a
community. Community coalitions play a vital role in substance abuse
prevention. Coalitions are forming in many counties throughout Florida.
Each one does something different for their respective communities, but all
have one goal: to lessen substance abuse within their communities.

These coalitions are made up of people of different organizations,
different backgrounds and different ideas, but all have that one goal in
mind. To join the local coalition, visit www.cornerdrugstore.org/PIPSA.
Together, we can make a difference and make the world of a child a better
and healthier place.