Pubdate: Thu, 21 Aug 2003
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2003 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Contact:  http://www.lubbockonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/841
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

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.
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