KIDS AND DRUGS

IT WILL BE a rare child today who will not someday be faced with peer
pressure or other temptations to try drugs. We hope that parents are
regularly discussing dangers of drugs with their children -- even young
children -- and teaching them to say no to drugs.

Sheriff's Deputy Jason Johnson recently made an excellent point about kids
and drugs in an interview with Avalanche-Journal reporter Kerry Drennan.

Mr. Johnson said kids may understand to say no if someone offers them
drugs, but they do not always know that they should tell someone afterward
when they are approached about doing drugs. Parents should include that
point in their conversations with children about drugs.

Many children have a natural aversion to tattling about others, but they
should talk to an adult about anyone who attempts to get them to try drugs.

Parents are a logical choice. Teachers, school administrators and law
enforcement officers are other appropriate people for them to tell. But
adults need to know when someone is trying to lure children into drugs.

Children face difficult choices today. In many ways, it is a tough time to
be a child.

They must know that they are not alone in the challenges that they will
face. They need to be aware that they have parents who love them and other
people who care about what happens to them as well.

Children should be warned that they will probably face temptations or
pressures to try drugs, and they must be ready to say no. If someone
approaches them, they should have someone to talk with about it.