DRUG-PREVENTION SPEAKER: 'KNOW YOUR KIDS'

"You are not supposed to be your child's best friend. You are supposed to
be the mom and dad," Milton Creagh told a Rome City Auditorium audience of
about 400 students and parents Thursday night.

"It's not easy and it's not fun, but it's what you have to do," said
Creagh, a motivational speaker from Atlanta.

Creagh said America has been fighting a "stupid war" against drugs, aiming
its programs at teen-agers and children. "Seventy percent of drug use is in
the work force - these aren't kids getting up in the morning and going to
school. These are adults getting up and going to work," he said.

Creagh challenged parents to be parents.

"Know your kids and know their two and three bestest-best friends," he said.

"Parents, if you think your kids are going to tell you everything, you are
stupid," he said.

"But they will tell their friends." He encouraged parents to have good
relationships with their children's friends. "If your kid is having a
problem, their friends are going to be worried, but they won't tell you if
they don't think you'll listen," said Creagh.

"Your kids are going to tell you the things they don't think you will trip
out over," said Creagh.

Creagh said just knowing their children's friends isn't enough, that
parents should know those friends' parents.

"If you don't like the rules at their houses, don't let your kids go
there," said Creagh. "Your kids may not like it, but they don't have to
like everything you do."

Creagh asked students to raise their hands if they knew a "safe house"
where they can go to drink, do drugs or have sex without fear of getting
caught.

When most raised their hands, Creagh told parents to look around.

"The number one place kids go to use drugs is the home of a friend - the
number two place is their own home," said Creagh.

He also told parents not to always think their children are right. "If
someone tells you something about your child, consider it a gift from God,"
said Creagh. "Have your kid evaluated and if they come back clean, great."