Unfortunately, the fashion and fads that thrive in our culture are sometimes the ones with the most shock value. Children today are surrounded by subtle and overt messages telling them what is "good'' about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Your children may see television characters living in wealth and splendour off drug money, may stumble onto a web site urging legalisation of marijuana, may see their favourite movie stars smoking in their latest films, or may hear songs describing the thrill of making love while high.

To combat these impressions, put your television and computer in a communal area so you can keep tabs on what your children are seeing. Sit down with them when they watch tv. Explore the internet with them to get a feel for what they like. Anything disturbing can be turned into a "teachable moment.'' You may want to set guidelines for which tv shows, films, and web sites are appropriate for your child. (You also may want to reassure children that the world is not as bleak as it appears in the news, which focuses heavily on society's problems.) In the same way, familiarise yourself with your children's favourite radio stations, CDs, and tapes. According to a recent survey, most teenagers consider listening to music their favourite non-school activity and, on average, devote three to four hours to it every day. Since many of the songs they hear make drug use sound inviting and free of consequences, you'll want to combat this impression with your own clear position.

Excerpt from Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Prevention.

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