Talk to your kids about drugs and drug use. What you say matters. We know from research that that kids in treatment have a better recovery rate if their parents are in a 12 step program. Whether you know it or not, kids do notice. You can can't prevent their disease, but you can influence how fast they find recovery--set your home rules, let your kids know what you think..and be consistent. Read about the latest research here:   You Docs: Kids take cues from parents on drug use | Wichita Eagle : The list of movies aimed at kids that show (supposedly) lovable stars who use drugs is long and well-known: There’s “Cheech and Chong,” “Harold & Kumar” and the entire “Hangover” series (including the tiger – don’t ask). Helping teens stay away from recreational drugs is a big job and one that, unfortunately, some parents don’t feel they’re up to or don’t feel they have the clout to make a difference. That’s info from a new survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adm

I almost had to laugh when I read the headline for this article " Advocacy group, Shoppers Drug Mart battle a growing problem" as if--come on, this is new growing problem! I remember in high school (the 60's) how we used to go through our friends parents bathroom  cabinets  for diet pills. The parents seldom caught on. OK, we should think about this the same way we think of our booze, but its not new. If kids really really  want  to drink and do drugs, they will hang out with kids that drink and do drugs and they will find a way.  Its like they say  about   thieves --locks on doors keeps the honest people out, not the  thieves . Its a good idea to "hide" the pills to stop the  experimenter  -but that hardly will stop the determined kid and it  definitely  will not stop the addicted kid! Protecting local kids from their parents’ pills : "While drugs and alcohol use among teenagers has always been a concern, the fastest growing trend is the abuse of presc

Although I believe that it is vitally important to talk to our children about the inherent dangers of alcohol and drug abuse--and stupid choices that kids make when they are in the "bullet proof" phase of their teen years...I never want to give the impression that parents can prevent addiction--certainly they can help prevent theem making the stupid choices, and maybe they can help prevent impaired driving by staying alert and on top of things. but do not forget that addiction (including alcoholism) is a disease--a real disease. I would love to say that having meals 4 times a week with your kids would prevent addiction, but it won't. So do what you can to help your kids grow up but never forget that with addiction, you can cure it and you can't control it...Here the article that spurred this blog: Parents aren't talking to their children about substance abuse | KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles : "Many parents aren't t