BAHAMAS OBSERVING ANTI-DRUG DAY

June 26 is celebrated by the United Nations as International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and the Bahamas National
Drug Council has taken up the call for a life without drugs.

The council is distributing a quartet of "living without drugs"
pamphlets for teachers, parents, teenagers and schools. The pamphlets
were designed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"Teachers can be role models for students and dissuade them from
abusing drugs. This is all the more important if young people do not
have supportive families to guide them," the United Nation pamphlet urged.

"Substance abuse is basically a mechanism to cope with or escape from
feelings of insecurity. Help students realize that they are not alone
in facing these challenges and that there are a variety of healthy
ways of confronting them."

The teachers' pamphlet also seeks to arm teachers with specific ideas
and concepts to inculcate into their charges, including
self-protection, self-confidence and esteem.

"It takes confidence to say no to drugs. Teachers can help build a
child's self-esteem and strengthen inter-personal skills," the UN
said. "Instill confidence by encouraging children to accept
themselves. Above all, teach young people refusal skills by letting
them know that it is fine to say no."

Teachers are also encouraged to teach children to express their
creativity, and lists warning signs that might signify that a child
is abusing drugs.

Among these signs are sudden mood swings, anger for no reason, loss
of interest in school or extra-curricular activities, truancy and
short attention spans.

Teachers are also warned to look for physical signs including red
eyes, tendency to fall asleep in class, slurred speech,
forgetfulness, neglect of personal hygiene and general appearance and
trembling or uncoordinated movements.

The teachers' pamphlet also contains curriculum suggestions.

The pamphlet designed for parents stresses communication, modeling a
refusal to abuse medication or illegal drugs, being informed and
making children feel responsible, among other things.

"Show (children) you care and that you are interested in what they
do," the UN urged parents. "Talk with your children, not at them, and
keep the lines of communication open. Pay attention to what they are saying.

"Be alert. Pay attention to body language. A relaxed child smiles,
will meet your eyes when talking to you and does not show obvious
signs of nervousness Talk to the school guidance officer if you sense
there is a problem."

Parents are also encouraged to be informed, to know which drugs and
their derivatives are illegal, as well as what the dangers are of
drugs and what they do to people.

Among the emotional and social signs parents might catch that would
tip them off to their child's possible drug use are moodiness,
hostility, depression, constant lying and stealing, refusing to admit
the harmful effects of drugs, secretive phone calls, having friends
they do not want parents to meet, being evasive about their
whereabouts and truancy.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is also circulating pamphlets
detailing what teenagers should know about drugs and answering other
questions children might have about drugs.