Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 Source: Tulsa World (OK) Copyright: 2000 World Publishing Co. Contact: P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102 Website: http://www.tulsaworld.com/ KEEP TALKING A Few Words About Drugs Talk's cheap when it comes to talking about drugs -- a lot cheaper anyway than the nation's long-waged war on drugs and much less costly than financing the fallout from legal, health and emotional problems that drug abuse can cause adolescents. And this straight talk, from parents to their kids, apparently is paying off, according to a new study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The 12th survey by the Partnership found that 57 percent of parents said they had talked with their children at least four times in the past year about drug use. Sixty-four percent said they had "thoroughly" covered the subject. In 1998, just 44 percent of parents said they had spoken with their children at least four times. Fifty two percent of parents said they had "thoroughly" covered the topic. A study last year by the partnership indicated that teenage approval of marijuana and other drugs was declining. The latest survey indicated, however, that only a third of parents surveyed said they believed what they were saying was having any influence on whether their child experienced drugs. Not so, says Richard D. Bonnette, president and chief executive of the partnership. With teenagers, many things go in one ear and out the other. But what parents are saying about drugs appears to be sticking. Recent studies show that teen's approval of drug use is falling. And guess who influenced them the most? - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea