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4 - THE PORT PERRY STAR, Tuesday, September 26, 1995. DRUG AWARENESS Parents' use of substances an influence Aside from peer influ- ences upon adolescent substance abuse, the atti- tudes, beliefs and practic- es parents have towards substances also greatly in- fluences their children's own use and abuse. Adolescents appear to mirror the drinking patterns of their parents, conversely, ado- lescents who abstain from alcohol have parents who have communicated their non-drinking values to their children (Reid, et.al., 1987). Substance abuse in- creases in adolescents where their parents have not discouraged use, have tolerated usage, or where parents have conveyed be- liefs that adolescence use is harmless (Reid et.al, 1987). Adolescents per- ceive the acceptability of substance use by observ- ing parental practices and attitudes. When parents use substances to relax, cope with negative feel- ings, reduce physical dis- comfort, avoid problems, OVERRIDGE | FIREPLACE WAREHOUSE THINK ABOUT IT! and socialize, they are modelling these practices for their children. A parental substance abuse problem not only has a significant detri- mental impact on the emo- tional development of chil- dren but also deprives children of a healthy role model for problem- solving, conflict resolu- tion, communication skills, and healthy inter- personal relationships. During adolescence, these skills are essential for de- velopment of autonomy and independence. When adolescents face the con- flicts of this stage without these tools to cope, they of- ten turn to substances, mirroring their parents' practices nf substance use. Despite the incredible emotional demands of ado- lescence and the complex issues adolescents and parents face in today's so- ciety, parents can have a major positive influence in their adolescents' passage into adulthood. DIRECT TO YOU WORRY FREE GUARANTEED INSTALLATIONS 985-0715 Timmy Just Turned 7. His Parents Just Made A Crucial investment. Timmy's parents just took the time to talk to him about drugs. Peer pressure begins early. A national survey Indicates 25% of fourth graders said they felt "some" to "a lot" of peer pressure to try alcohol or marijuana. In the seventh grade, about 60% said they felt pressure to try alcohol and 50% to try marijuana. Young people are succumbing to peer pressure to "feel older" or simply to "have a good time". Why kid yourself? Substance abuse has been a problem for a long time. Today it Is a larger and more serious problem than ever before. Pay attention to the facts. Obviously it's smarter to talk to your children about 180 CASIMIR "0 PORT PERRY peer pressure and the effects of drugs. i Eis (ny) 197 Queen St., Port Perry (905) 9 AEE EE 85-9986 LL NUMBER OF DRINKS CONSUMED IN A WEEK BY ADULTS SURVEYED IN CANDA * Where does your drinking fit in? hg § Dh 15-21 drinks 22+ drinks (08 is the legal limit for impaired driving) WOMEN 15+ drinks 8-14 drinks 1%, Average Number of Drinks per Week = 5.3 Your Average is: 1-7 drinks Drinks/Week Average Number of O drinks Drinks per Week = 2.0 CHE I eR W ¥ IR RRO EOC MO see satel tet Cetetet ttt