Pubdate: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT) Copyright: 2006 The Billings Gazette Contact: http://www.billingsgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DRUGS Yet another survey has confirmed that children and youth are listening when parents talk to them about drugs. The Montana Prevention Needs Assessment, a survey conducted every two years since 1998 through the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, found that hearing anti-drug messages from parents makes a positive difference in keeping kids away from drugs. But the survey also indicates that anti-drug message must be clear and strong. If youth perceive that parents think alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are "very wrong," they are highly unlikely to use. But any equivocating by the parent can render the message ineffective. "Even a small amount of perceived parental acceptability can lead to substance use," an executive summary of the survey says. "For example, relatively few students (22 percent lifetime and 8.3 percent in 30 days) whose parents think it is "very wrong" to use marijuana actually used the substance. In contrast, when a student believes that their parents agree with use somewhat (i.e., the parent only believes that it is "wrong," not "very wrong") uses increases to 63.2 percent for lifetime and 32.5 percent for use within 30 days of the survey. Rates of use continue to increase as the perceived parental acceptability increases." Likewise, peer acceptance of drug use greatly increased the likelihood of students using. When students thought there was "no or little chance" they would be seen as cool if they used marijuana, only 13 percent had tried it. When students thought there was even "a little chance" that they would be seen as cool, 40 percent had used marijuana. The good news is that Montana students report decreasing levels of use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, hallucinogens, cocaine and ecstasy. Montana students were slightly less likely than peers around the nation to report methamphetamine use. But Montana students still had more experience with alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana and inhalants than their peers nationwide. Findings of the Prevention Needs Assessment will help state health officials target problems and plan programs. Some of that drug prevention work needs to be done at home. Parents, if you want your children to live drug-free and to avoid underage drinking and smoking, say so. Make your point very clear: It's very wrong. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek