Parents the Anti Drug

Drugs destroy dreams...more then just a cleaver marketing line.
2008 statistics are staggering:
30% of 8th graders have used alcohol, meaning more then a sip.
By 12th grade the percentage jumps to 66%.
10% of 8th graders smoke marijuana and over 30% of 12th graders do
Perscription drug use is the new trend as there is social acceptance and a false sense that it is safer then street drugs.

Whats a parent to do? 
Stay Informed.  Have you heard of the new trend, that is actually legal? K-spice, spice or k12 as it is frequently called. It can be in bought at tobacco shops and is not picked up on drug test, students self report it has a higher high then marijuana. Teens think it is safe since it is "legal".  Same with perscription drugs use.

Talk to your children from a young age about the dangers and your expectations of drug use in your family.

Lock box for your medicines perscription and over the counter: I had to have one as a foster parent, but am choosing to continue to use it to keep the children safe.

Set a healthy life style example. Parents are the first teacher and though we don't get credit, our little ones are watching and learning from each of us.

Know your children's friends. It isn't the stoner on campus who will offer our children their first drink, or drug but their friends.

Help your children set and achieve goals.

This week we are starting a weekly talk for the next few weeks about tobacco and general good health habits. All the children were part of the conversation and exercise. I placed pictures on a paper, pictures of exercise, different foods and cigarette's, cigars, pipes and smoke in general.  They circled the healthy habits and then crossed out the unhealthy.  They shared what they knew and I filled in the gaps.  On the back I had them draw a detailless person. Then we added the effects of tobacco to them. They added yellow teeth, yellowing of the finger tips, wrinkles, black lungs, discolored heart, oxygen tank. When they where done they shared their pictures and no one wanted to volunteer to look like them.  Lastly they drew straws, the one with the short straw, was the one who became addicted on the first try. Since we never know, and it all starts with the first try.  It was a good lesson, filled with healthy information and a few laughs but most importantly an opportunity to share our family values and answer their questions. 
Lesson to come:  Second hand smoke, Alcohol and drugs,  How to say No, Assertiveness. Review.
Activities: Make a book on how to say No, Creating a stamp to stamp out drugs, making a tar jar, taking a look at a smokers lung vs a healthy lung.

Sad, interesting and powerful, check out Faces of Meth on youtube.com.

Links: http://www.theantidrug.com/
www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/parentcenter.html