PARENTS ARE BIGGEST WEAPON IN FIGHTING TEEN DRUG USE

Good news! The national Monitoring the Future survey was released Dec.
16, and it shows that drug use among our nation's youth is decreasing
for alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and ecstasy. Prevention efforts are
working.

But it is not time for us to pull back. As soon as we begin to see
progress in one arena, we see a disturbing trend in another. What are
we battling now? The only two drugs that showed increased use in the
national survey were prescription drugs and crack.

On Feb. 19, the Knox Teen Assessment Program survey will be released
on Knox County's 7th-, 9th- and 11th-graders. How will we rank
compared to national statistics? Will we be fortunate enough to see
decreases in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs? If we do see decreases,
does that mean we don't need increasing efforts directed towards drug
prevention?

Academic failure, truancy, violence, theft and risky sexual behavior
are often associated with illicit drug use. Further, most of the
leading causes of death of young people - motor vehicle crashes,
homicide, injury and suicide - are more likely to occur when under the
influence of psychoactive substances.

Do you think your child is immune to this problem? Do you think this
is a problem that only affects inner cities? If you answered yes, you
couldn't be more wrong. Data indicate that adolescent drug use is a
problem that cuts across all geographic, socio-economic, racial and
ethnic boundaries in America society. It's everyone's problem, and we
all need to be a part of the solution.

Last summer, the Office of National Drug Control Policy launched the
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign - a five-year initiative
dedicated to reducing youth drug use in America. The campaign uses
advertising, the Internet, relationships with the entertainment
industry, public information distribution and community partnerships
to reach children and parents about this issue. The campaign is one
way that parents are getting the message to talk to their kids about
drugs - but it can't be the only way.

As community leaders and parents, it is our responsibility to amplify
and enhance the messages of national efforts. Work must be done in
Knoxville, which means we must develop messages and programs that are
tailored specifically to our community. Furthermore, it is vital that
parents or anyone who has a stake in a child's life realize their
impact and become actively involved in denormalizing drug use.

At the Metropolitan Drug Commission, we have put together some
programs that are a great start. In the past year, the Metropolitan
Drug Commission has collaborated with Knoxville's Promise on Community
Service Day. In conjunction with the Bijou Theatre, we brought
"Prevention Theater" at no cost to area middle schools to address
bullying and inhalants; hosted Family Day with Knox County Schools;
with the support of Knox County, we will be training law enforcement
and working with area businesses on an Underage Drinking Campaign;
partnering with WBIR and Citadel Communications on a social marketing
campaign to provide normative education to both youth and parents; and
we are in the process of working with an area youth serving
organization to design and produce a youth-developed prevention
message which is aligned to an upcoming special event. On Thursday,
April 24, we will host a "Youth Leader Appreciation Night - A Salute
to those on the Frontlines."

Research shows that 40 percent of parents indicated that, once a child
becomes a teenager, they believe they have very little influence over
the child's decision to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. In this
instance, it's a good thing parents are wrong. Our children do listen
to what we have to say - even if they appear to disregard our opinions.

As parents and citizens, we make the real difference in the prevention
of youth substance abuse. Even with strong peer and social pressures,
parents are the most important and long-lasting influence in
children's lives. Take the time to get involved. It is a decision that
you will never regret, and our children deserve nothing less.

Your time, their lives, our future.