PARENTS MUST EDUCATE KIDS ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

When it comes to manners, parents will go to great lengths to teach
their kids 'p's and q's'.

Yet when it comes to drugs and alcohol, few parents are actually
taking the time to educate their children.

But in reality, most parents are more concerned about the potential
for their kids to start using drugs and alcohol than whether or not
they remember to say please or thank you.

So why aren't they taking the time to educate them, asks Doug Rogers,
substance abuse prevention counsellor within the schools.

Every year in September when the new crop of Grade 8 students walk
through the doors of high school, Rogers asks how many of them have
talked about drugs and alcohol with their parents.

"It's less than 30 per cent," said Rogers.

To help parents understand the importance of discussing the topic, the
Vernon School District recently hosted a presentation on the subject.
Dr, Marvin Krank, professor of psychology and dean of the College of
Graduate Studies at the University of British Columbia Okanagan,
shared his insight and studies on adolescents and substance abuse.

The event drew more than 150 people, including parents of teens,
pre-teens, local doctors, teachers and others who touch the lives of
adolescents - including Rogers.

"People came to take some sage advice home and I think they did," said
Rogers, who is also a father of a seven-, 10- and 12-year-old.

Just as parents want to guide their children to make the right
decisions, Krank says children need their parents' guidance and support.

"They need you more in their adolescent years than ever before," said
Krank in his presentation.

The teenage years are a difficult time of physical, emotional, social
and neurological transitions. While many teenagers may act like they
aren't listening to their parents, they truly are taking it all in.

"What you say and do matters," said Krank. "Contrary to appearances
they need you more than ever."

Rogers encourages parents to lead by example since children watch
their parents every move.

"A glass of wine is one thing, a bottle of wine is quite
another."

Many parents feel the inevitable will happen - their kids are going to
drink. But Krank says that doesn't mean it should be encouraged.

One parent at the presentation asked: "What happens if I host a
party?"

Krank's simple response: "No. Don't host a party."

Yes, it's likely that teens are going to experiment with alcohol
and/or drugs. But giving them a place to do it sends a mixed message,
said Krank.

Instead, Rogers suggests that parents continue to discuss the subject,
but don't just tell kids what they can't do, give them options to what
they can do.

"You need to give kids alternatives to drinking and drugging," said
Rogers, who involves his oldest in taekwondo. "Find out what your kids
are good at and exploit that."

Krank concludes his presentation by saying: "We don't want to prevent
them from taking the journey, but we do want them prepared for
challenges along the way."

So just as parents gently remind their kids to say please and thank
you whenever the opportunity arises, parents are encouraged to take
the same amount of opportunities to have that honest, open and
non-confrontational discussion with their kids about drugs and alcohol.