DISCUSSING DRUG ABUSE

GREATER HARTFORD -- After all the talk about a "war on drugs," substance
abuse among youths is still rampant. Some parents have begun wondering if
they should even bother raising the subject, arguing that kids will
experiment anyway.

That, precisely, is the problem, according to the Governor's Prevention
Partnership, which is promoting a campaign this week called "Talk Now
Connecticut" to encourage parent-child discussions.

Half of today's parents have used marijuana, the partnership says. Many
assume their kids will do so, too, and there is not much that mom and dad
can do about it. However, the partnership notes that despite what parents
sometimes think, they have a powerful influence on their children's
behavior. When parents talk openly about alcohol and drug abuse, the risk
of abuse among their children is cut in half.

To spur discussion, the partnership is distributing 10,000 brochures, which
will be sent to the parents of fifth-graders in 26 towns across the state.
The brochures were offered to every town; it is regrettable that so many
chose not to participate.

The partnership also has prepared a comprehensive, 28-page Parent Action
Guide with details about every common drug and advice on what to do when
parents suspect their children are abusing drugs.

The guide addresses the delicate question of whether parents should admit
their own past drug abuse. It notes that children are more influenced by
what parents do than by what they say, and they may conclude that if drugs
didn't hurt mom and dad, then the risk probably is small.

For parents who think that marijuana is no big deal, the guide notes that
the stuff smoked today is much stronger than what was inhaled a generation ago.

The guide is available free by calling 800-422-5422. Copies also will be in
every library.