Radio Commentary
The Partnership for a
Drug-Free America provided good suggestions for parents to help their children
stay off drugs.
The ideas deserve
parents’ consideration.
For example,
parents were urged to make sure the information they offer fits their
children’s age and cognitive level.
When a six or
seven-year-old is brushing his teeth, parents can say, “There are lots of
things we need to do to keep our bodies strong and healthy, like brushing our
teeth. But there are also some things we shouldn’t do because they can hurt our
bodies, like smoking or taking medicine when we are not sick.”
An eight-year-old can
understand a simple lesson about specific drugs, like marijuana or alcohol.
If marijuana is mentioned
on TV, take advantage of the chance to ask your child if he knows what it is.
Say it’s a bad drug that can hurt your body.
If your child has more
questions, answer them. If not, let it go. Short, simple comments, repeated
often enough, will get the message across.
For older
children, you can add more details. Explain to a 10 to 12-year-old what
marijuana and crack look like, their street names, and how they can affect the
body.
Don’t be afraid to
talk tough. Cocaine and crack are very dangerous and illegal drugs that can kill
a user, sometimes if taken only once. Say so.
