June 20, 2006
Parent Corps Conference Notes
Bertha K. Madras, PhD, Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, White House Office for National Drug Control Policy, gave a speech on WHY PARENTS ARE SO IMPORTANT at the 2nd annual Parent Corps Conference yesterday. Just a couple of notes that I wanted to share:
Drug Addiction is not Predictable - No one starts using drugs thinking that they will become addicted.
Parents are the most important influence in their kid's lives - AT ALL AGES! When there are clear rules at home about not using drugs the results are much better (drug use is significantly reduced) than when the rules are not defined or communicated.
Drug use and addiction is like going to Alaska in the coldest time of the year. When you get there you put on a very warm coat and zip it up - all the way to your neck to stay warm. When you zip up the coat you can not unzip the coat. In a few months you travel to Miami, Florida in the middle of August. When you get to Miami you find it extremely hot and want to remove the warm coat, but you can't get out of the coat. You are stuck in the coat - even though you want out. Addiction - hard to get away.
Screening is important. For students involved in extracurricular school activities drug testing has been upheld by the Supreme Court. The military has found a significant decrease in drug use since they began testing. Schools that screen students involved in extracurricular school activities found a decrease of drug use of more than 50%. They also found that students supported the screening because it gave them a legitimate excuse not to use drugs. When they were at social gatherings with their peers they can refuse by saying that they want to play sports or cheer and if they are tested positive they will be kicked off the team.
Posted by Jim Travis at June 20, 2006 6:03 AM