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The RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Service (DOCAS) will be launching a series of tips for parents on the website: www.drugawareness.bc.rcmp.gc.ca.  These tips are meant to support parents in developing protective factors for their children to help prevent drug use. The launch will begin on the 'Drug Awareness Week' starting November 15th, 2009 and throughout the week. All drugs pose risks to the health of our youth and they are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing.

 

There is plenty of research out there to suggest parents play an important role for the healthy development of a young person. A study conducted by the Search Institute suggests one of the significant assets for the development of a young person is having a positive and healthy relationship with his/her parents. Parents can provide protective factors in various practical forms such as having dinner with your child and engaging in positive communication.

DOCAS focuses on drug prevention for children and youth through a comprehensive Community Prevention Education Continuum. One of the goals for DOCAS is to support parents to engage in developing protective factors for their children.

For more information, please visit www.drugawareness.bc.rcmp.gc.ca.

What parents should do:

Be in the Know  

• Take the time to educate yourself on drugs and their effects  

• Know your local prevention resources

Talk to Your Kids  

• Take the opportunities and teachable moments to talk about drugs with your kids   

• Learn how to set the stage for dialogue

Be a Role Model  

• You are their greatest influence, and your kids will model your behaviors and values

Build Protective Factors (Developmental Assets) for Your Child  

• For a list of the Developmental Assets go to  www.search-institute.org/assets

Be Involved in Your Child’s Life  

• Continually work on building healthy relationships with your child   

• Maintain those healthy relationships especially during adolescence 

For more information see the Kids and Drugs Guidebook and Talking with Your Teen about Drugs (Health Canada).  Click HERE to view full sized poster.

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