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, crack, heroin and meth are very dangerous and illegal drugs that can
kill a user, sometimes if taken only once. Say so.
