Stoned Kids, Clueless parents

Here is an interesting article I read in the magazine "The Week" in the October 20th issue. I was unable to pull up the link on their website so here it is from my magical typing hands.

"Most parents say they would certainly know if their son or daughter used alcohol or drugs. In reality, most parents have no idea. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis recently surveyed the drug habits of 591 children between the ages of 12 and 17, and then interviewed their parents. Fifty-four precent of the teens said they had consumed alcohol, and 24 percent said they had gotten drunk. But only 31 percent of the parents said they believed their kids had ever tried alcohol, and only 8 percent imagined they had gotten drunk. Similarily, 23 percent of the kids admitted to using marijuana, but only 13 percent of the parents suspected as much. Nine percent of the children said they had tried harder drugs, and just 3 percent of their parents knew that to be the case. "Kids have access to drugs, they use them, and most parents are clueless," study head Dr. Laura Bierut tells The New York Times. This is especially troubling with younger kids, Bierut says, because the younger the user, the more likely that addiction will set in. "Children are not telling you about drug use," she said. "You have to ask."

My encouragement to all parents is to talk with your kids about drugs and alcohol whether or not you think they are doing it. They live in a world where they can not hide from it, but they can be informed and know how to make wise decisions. Parents don't fall into the trap of not talking to your kids about tough subjects, be open, be honest, be loving, and be in prayer!

John