Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2005
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2005 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?195 (Partnership for a Drug Free America)

FATHERS NEED TO DO MORE TOUGH TALK ON DRUGS

IT'S TIME for dads to step up and spend more time talking to their 
children about the dangers of drugs.

According to a new survey, it's moms who do most of the talking. The 
director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America says that's 
simply not enough.

"The ever-changing drug landscape facing our kids today presents new 
drug threats, like teens' abuse of prescription and over-the-counter 
medicines," said Tom Hedrick in releasing the new survey earlier this 
week, on Father's Day. "Not enough young people are getting a clear 
message about substance abuse, and research shows parents talking 
with kids early and often can make all the difference. We simply 
can't rely on mothers to do all of the heavy lifting."

The survey also showed fathers were less likely to see "negative 
consequences" should their children use some drugs, including smoking 
marijuana, and also were less likely than mothers to turn to outside help.

Fathers should view the results as a warning to spend more time 
talking with their children about the dangers of drugs and other 
risky behaviors. Teen drug use is down in recent years, but as 
Hedrick points out, many teens are now seeking out otherwise legal 
medications to get high.

In April, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America announced a study 
showing that more teens abused prescription medications in 2004 than 
had used Ecstasy, cocaine, crack or LSD. Many teens -- and children 
yet to hit their teenage years -- also had tried prescription 
painkillers or tried to get high off of cold medicine.

Research is clear on the significant impact parents can have by 
talking with their children early and often about drugs. Such 
conversations aren't easy. But it's much better for children to hear 
the truth from their parents than to hear lies from their peers or 
other adults making money by preying on vulnerable teens.
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