MEAL TIME TOGETHER IMPORTANT

Perhaps you missed "Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children." The
third annual event sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University and endorsed by President
Bush, numerous governors and mayors was officially held on Monday.

The message of the day, however, is applicable every day.

On the Treasure Coast as elsewhere across America, the gathering of family
members around the dinner table has declined and is especially infrequent
when children become teenagers. Busy schedules notwithstanding, the loss of
that family time can have adverse consequences.

Wade F. Horn, assistant secretary for children and families at the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, said, "It is vital that frequent
family dinners become a permanent fixture for children, not only when they
are young, but throughout their teenage years. The frequency of family
dinners decreases significantly as children enter and go through high school
- -- and that's just when the benefits of family dinners may be needed most."

CASA regularly conducts surveys of young people regarding trends in
connection with substance abuse.

The most recent survey, conducted in conjunction with Family Day, found that
teenagers who have dinner with their families five or more times a week,
compared to teenagers who have dinner with their families two or less nights
per week, are 32 percent likelier never to have tried cigarettes, 43 percent
likelier never to have tried alcohol and 24 percent likelier never to have
smoked marijuana.

Also, teens who have frequent dinners with their families are almost twice
as likely to receive A's in schoolwork and those who make A's and B's are at
half the risk of substance abuse.

In its support of Family Day, the Florida Department of Health said, "Teens
who have regular family meals are less likely to get into fights, get
suspended from school, have sex, or have suicidal thoughts. . . . Family
meals promote bonding and family interaction. They can help children improve
their self-esteem and develop social skills that can last a lifetime."

The gathering of the entire family around the table does not necessarily
have to be at the evening meal. It could also be at breakfast or at lunch.
The important matter is that there be time set aside to eat and converse --
without television, video games or other distractions.

Families that make the effort benefit considerably. We hope more families
will recognize and take advantage of such opportunities for better life
results.