A new study from Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that eating family dinners together is linked to lower drug, alcohol, and cigarette use among children and teenagers.

"The emotional and social benefits that come from family dinners are priceless," said Elizabeth Planet, CASA vice president.

The study documented the following for children whose families eat dinner together fewer than three times per week:

• They are twice as likely to use tobacco or marijuana.
• They are one and a half times more likely to use alcohol, and twice as likely to try drugs in the future.
• They are twice as likely to have friends who use marijuana and ecstasy.
• They are one and a half times more likely to have friends who drink, abuse prescription drugs, and use crystal meth
• They are one and a half times more likely to have friends who use drugs such as cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
  

The report also found that eating family dinners without distractions such as texting or using a Blackberry put children at an advantage, too. Children who ate infrequent family dinners that involved such distractions were three times more likely to use marijuana and tobacco, and two and half times more likely to drink alcohol.

About 59 percent of children and teenagers have dinner with their families at least five times a week. The average family dinner is 35 minutes long.

Labels: prevention, dinner, communication

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Many experts have identified parental involvement as the key to helping kids stay away from alcohol and other drugs. But the truth of the matter is that parental involvement wont do any good if the child is unresponsive or detached -- thus, the essential component is cooperation between parents and teens.

This topic was addressed in a Sept. 21 article by Alice Englin, the coalition director for the Freeborn County (Minn.) Partners In Prevention:

An important step to making rules and consequences effective is to involve your kids in establishing them. Talk with your kids about your familys beliefs and values, seek their input and commit to making the topic an ongoing conversation.

Involving them reinforces that you are interested in what they have to say and, in turn, will help them be more open to the important messages you have to communicate.

Parents cant be everywhere, but you are the biggest influence in their life. Thats why its important to keep the lines of communication open, be firm about where you stand, and educate them so that they are equipped to make healthy choices when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.

Labels: prevention, parental_involvement, communication

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The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has announced the launch of a new website aimed at helping Hispanic families. Habla Con Tus Hijos is a Spanish-language web resource filled with tips and guidance on how parents can best start, and continue, honest conversations with their children about drug use.

The following details were included in a press release to announce the establishment of the new website:

"Habla Con Tus Hijos" is the new Spanish-language counterpart to the Partnerships ongoing parent movement, Time to Talk".

Both Habla Con Tus Hijos and Time to Talk are grounded in the Partnerships national research that consistently shows kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not get that crucial message at home.

Parents and caregivers will be able to download Spanish-language tools and resources that will guide them in their conversations with their kids. The web site is culturally relevant, and most of the resources are available free of charge.

Visit www.hablacontushijos.org for more information.

Labels: parents, communication, hispanic, internet

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The latest survey from Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers a glimmer of hope in the effort to improve communication between parents and their children:

"The Drug-Free America survey says 37 percent of teens surveyed said they are 'learning a lot' from parents about the dangers of drug use. That might not be the high number parents want to see, but it's an increase from 32 percent the year before."

The survey doesn't indicate whether the increased is the result of an increased number of parents talking to their teens, or an increased number of teens listening. Either way, it indicates that kids will listen. Source: The Tennessean

Labels: parental_involvement, dangers-of-drug-use, communication

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The photo of Michael Phelps smoking pot has been circulated around the world. Though there were some consequences (like Kellogg pulling its sponsorship), he gets to keep his gold medals and most of his other sponsorships. So how does a parent use this story to talk to kids about the dangers of using marijuana?

"[Marsha] Rosenbaum [a sociologist] said the most important thing to keep in mind when talking to kids about drugs is that 'abstinence is really the best choice, but honesty is critical.' ... Rosenbaum said it's also 'no longer possible to offer the scare tactics that we've used for the last 20 years. You can't credibly say [that] if you smoke pot on Saturday, by the following weekend you'll be a heroin addict."

Rosenbaum encourages parents to use Phelps' story as an opportunity to share the facts, including potential legal ramifications. Nearly 40,000 people in New York City were arrested last year on marijuana-related charges, and similar numbers were arrested in other large cities, such as Atlanta and Cleveland. Source: Telegraph-Journal (Canada)

Labels: parental_involvement, communication, relationships

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Talking to children about the dangers of drug use is sometimes hard for parents who experimented with drugs during their own teenage years. These parents often don't know exactly what to say, or how honest they should be.

"Avoid giving your child more information than she or he asked for. No need to talk about keg stands and smoking pot 132 times. [However]...don't risk losing your credibility after the kids discover the real story from a chatty uncle at a family party."

Before talking to your teenager, think about the reasons why you regret using drugs when you were younger. Share those regrets during your talk, and give your child a chance to respond and ask questions. Source: Daily Mail (United Kingdom)

Labels: parents, communication

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Doctors often do not bring up important issues such as substance abuse and safety with their teenaged patients, according to a report in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Dr. Sally Adams and her colleagues at the University of California in San Francisco surveyed 2,192 people ages 12 to 17 years old who had undergone health examinations within the last six months. About 76 percent of physicians discussed nutrition and exercise with the young patients, but only 30 percent talked about substance abuse. Fewer still discussed safety issues such as seatbelts, helmets or violence.

Dr. Adams said that national health care guidelines suggest that doctors provide screening and information about high-risk behaviors.

"If teenagers can get preventive care to avoid risky behaviors, "she said, "it may impact their health not only in adolescence but also throughout their lifetimes."

Labels: communication, patients, pediatricians

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A recent survey conducted by national polling firm RT Strategies found that just 6% of parents are concerned about their kids abusing prescription medication. The finding was alarming, in light of other studies that have shown a dramatic increase in abuse of prescription drugs among teenagers.

"'We must raise awareness of these drug trends so parents realize that talking to their kids about drug abuse and prevention before heading back to school is on par with buying school supplies - both are necessary and will lay the foundation for a successful and healthy school year,' continued [Debbie] Moak."

The study also found that, though 80% of parents deny that prescription drugs are easily accessible in their home, over 10% of kids aged 12 to 17 have taken prescription drugs from a family member or friends' home. Read more at EMaxHealth.com.

Labels: parents, communication, prescription_drugs

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April is Alcohol Awareness month - a time when parents are encouraged to begin or continue discussions with their kids about the dangers of underage drinking.

"Parents can play a powerful role in influencing their children's attitudes. Parents' drinking behaviors and favorable attitudes about drinking are associated with adolescents' initiating and continuing drinking. Research indicates that children are less likely to drink when their parents are engaged in their lives and when they and their parents report feeling close to each other."

Organizations like Partnership for a Drug-Free America provide free resources to help parents determine the best way to talk to their kids about alcohol. Knowing a child's friends and their parents is also helpful because it better enables the parent to monitor a child's activities. Source: Pine City Pioneer

Labels: alcohol, awareness, communication

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"An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure" the old saying goes. But when dealing with teen drug and alcohol use, what exactly is an "ounce of prevention"? According to one columnist, it equates to a little parental nosiness.

"As more families trend toward everybody leading separate lives, it's become easier for children to lead secret lives. Research consistently indicates and alarming disconnect between parental perceptions of their children's drinking and drugging behavior, and the hidden underside of their children's lives."

Not only parents, but grandparents can get more involved in the lives of adolescents. Ask questions, spend time together, and find out as much as possible about who their friends are and what they do together. Read more at TheWorldLink.com.

Labels: parents, privacy, communication

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As 2008 draws near, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America is asking parents to include "talk to my kids more" on their lists of resolutions. To help parents make and keep the resolutions, Partnership has launched the website TimeToTalk.org.

"TimeToTalk™ celebrates the positive influence parents have on the decisions their children make for themselves. With access to conversation starters and a supportive online parent forum, TimeToTalk.org empowers parents to take an active role in prevention."

The website also includes a list of suggested "resolutions" that parents could make in the new year, with regards to their kids: "be patient, not just tolerant", "ask teens what they need from you" and "keep the promises you make" are just some of the suggestions.

Labels: parents, influences, communication

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The common assumption with teens that are smoking or using alcohol or drugs is that the parents don't know what's going on. But a recent study has found that, in fact, nearly 3/4 of parents do know what their teens are doing.

"For a six-month reporting period, 82 percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen cigarette smoking; the parents' reports corresponded with the teens' reports of their own smoking. Eighty-six percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen alcohol use and 86 percent accurately reported the presence of teen marijuana use. However, only 72 percent of the parents in the RIA study accurately reported the presence of illicit drug use (other than marijuana) by teens."

The report sharply contrasts the prevailing belief that teen activity is not monitored or noticed by parents. The study did find, however, that parents were less likely to be aware of the activities of younger teens (14 or 15 years of age), and were also less aware if they were caught up with issues of their own like depression or substance abuse.

Visit ByParents-forParents.com for free parenting tips, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: parents, influences, communication

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In response to its recent findings in its annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), Partnership for a Drug-free America has launched the Time to Talk ™ Campaign and web site. Both are intended to equip, empower, and encourage parents in their efforts discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol use with their teens.

TimeToTalk.org offers parents manageable resources to help them feel empowered to speak with their kids about living healthy lives and to motivate constant communication among family members. The new web resource not only helps parents start the conversation, but encourages them to sustain it over time by providing easy-to-use tools, tips, information and support to help parents feel much more at ease.

Studies have shown that kids who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol are 50 percent less like to experiment with substance use. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Teen-Help-Directory.com offers information about teen drug and alcohol abuse. Learn more today.

Labels: prevention, parents, communication

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Partnership for a Drug-free America just released the results of its 2006 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) which analyzes parental and teen attitudes towards drugs and alcohol. The study revealed a 12% decline in frequent conversations about drugs and alcohol between parents and teens.

"Only half of parents, 54 percent, reported thoroughly discussing the use of drugs like heroin, cocaine and crack with their kids. Even more concerning is that a mere 36 percent of parents reported having in-depth conversations about abuse of prescription medications and only 33 percent have thoroughly discussed abuse of OTC [over-the-counter] cough and cold medicines with their teens."

The study revealed that many parents don't fully understand the dangers of prescription and OTC medications. In addition, parents are uncertain about how to initiate conversations with their teens and what to say. In response to these findings, Partnership for a Drug-free America has launched the Time to Talk™ Campaign; a web site designed to equip, encourage, and empower parents to have productive, consistent conversations with their kids about drugs and alcohol. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Unsure of how talk to your teen? ByParents-ForParents.com offers help for parents of troubled teenagers.

Labels: prevention, influences, communication

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When your teenager is sending messages to her friends on MySpace, she may not be sharing the latest high school dating gossip, but rather, telling her friends about her latest drug- or alcohol-related escapades. A new study by Caron Treatment Centers found that 1 in 10 messages posted by teenagers asked for advice on "safe" ways to take illicit drugs without getting caught.

"The study also found that in messages about alcohol, hooking up and having sex when drinking were the top behaviors discussed by teens. While a few teens expressed regret over things they did while drunk, many chalked it up to 'fun', 'being wasted' and 'having a good time.'"

The majority of messages posted by teens were free of this type of content. Of the 10.3 million messages analyzed, 160,000 contained drug, sex or alcohol related content; that's about 1 1/2 percent. But of that 160,000, 80% of the messages discussed alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or acid/LSD.

Read more online.

Labels: drug_abuse, communication, internet

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Researchers from a London Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behavior have begun looking for alternative solutions to the problem of risky behavior among teens. Many of them feel that current methods have only had limited success.

"...trials in both Australia and the United States showed that projects which aimed to improve school ethos helped improve the health behaviors of their students... The US study reported a 34% reduction in a combined measure of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among boys, plus significant benefits regarding condom use, frequency of sex, violence and truancy."

More and more school officials are beginning to understand the importance of improving the overall culture in schools, and work to improve things like teacher-student communication. Read more online.

Labels: schools, communication, risky_behaviors

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