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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth