Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2013
Source: Fort McMurray Today (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 Fort McMurray Today
Contact: http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/letters
Website: http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1012
Author: Joanne Richard
Page: 17

DON'T TALK ABOUT POT SMOKING HABITS: STUDY 1

New research shows that retelling your past drug and alcohol
experiences to your adolescent children is possibly a bad idea. A
study by The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that
kids whose parents spilled the beans were less likely to hold
anti-substance abuse perceptions.

"Why would we tell them our gory or law-breaking behaviours of the
past? What good would possibly come from that except maybe a release
of guilt for the parent?" says teen expert Mary Jo Rapini. "They may
tell themselves that you did it so it's okay for them to. Remember our
kids use us as a guide for what is the norm for them," she says.

Dr. Wendy Walsh agrees: "Teens look up to parents. Their attitude may
very well be: Well, my parents tried it and they turned out fine."
Double standards - do what I say, not as I do - never work, says
Walsh. "If they know you did drugs, that will be more powerful than
your verbal warnings."

Frequent marijuana smoking amongst teens is up 80% since 2008,
according to The Partnership at Drugfree.org. Nearly one in 10 teens
smoke marijuana at least 20 or more times a month. And there's a
growing perception that a little weed or a few pills is no big deal.
Many parents are turning a blind eye, thinking it's just a passing
adolescent indulgence. But this isn't the '60s, says Rapini.

"Parents are too lax. They don't understand the dangers of pot much
like they don't understand the danger of cyber-bullying. They equate
pot use and bullying to their teen years," says Rapini. "But the
marijuana smoked today has changed and we know it changes brain chemistry
=2E"

Your job as a parent is to teach, mentor and guide your child,
stresses Rapnini. "The rule of thumb is before you say anything, ask
yourself who is this helping? Is this for me, or for my child? Leave
your past in your past." So should you lie when asked outright?
"Omitting facts isn't actually lying," says Walsh. Tell them it's
"none of your business. But I make it my business to make sure you
understand the consequences if you use drugs. I want you to know the
physical risk and I want you to know the rules of our house, the
behaviour I expect from you and the consequences if you break this
rule."

Walsh says that kids need you as a role model more than they need to
see you as a flawed person. "The focus should be on the consequences
of drug use, not your personal experience." On the other hand, Susan
Shapiro Barash says to be honest about your past. "If you do not come
clean, your child may find out one day through a mutual friend,
relative and feel betrayed. This could push her/ him to dabble, almost
as a rebellion." Be sure to mention the consequences of your actions
as well as what you dabbled in - include a cautionary tale, adds
Shapiro, professor and author of You're Grounded Forever=C2=85 But First,

Let's Go Shopping. And don't overshare: "Your child needs you as an
adult, not a buddy."

Parents need to reinforce the message that this behaviour is
unhealthy, agree experts. According to Dr. Vivian Diller, a New York
psychologist, do not lie or hide the truth from your kids about your
past marijuana use. Convey information about drug and alcohol use in a
smart, thoughtful way and at the right time in a kid's life, before
it's too late.

Kids are starting younger with weed use and are assuming there are no
negative consequences when used regularly. "In part this increase
usage probably comes from lax attitudes from parents, but more than
anything it comes from our culture that has made it seem
acceptable."Don't be lulled into looking the other way regarding the
risks of using marijuana. "Our more lenient attitudes will only likely
increase the prevalence and potency of what is out there today=C2=85 ther
e
is enough research that suggests they face potential dangers that
previous generations did not."

- -------------------------------------

[sidebar]

Tips from expert Dr. Wendy Walsh about what you can do to guide your
kids about helping them make the right decisions:

Have the talk. And have it early. Waiting until ninth grade is way too
late.

Point out negative consequences of drug use as they crop up in the
news or the kids' social circle.

Decide what exactly your house rules will be and what the consequences
of rule breaking will be.

Follow up all threats with action. Make sure the consequences are real
in your house.

If all else fails, be prepared to change their peer group if
necessary. That may mean you may have to move the family to a new
school zone. But it's worth it, if it means saving your child.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt