The state Drug Czar is asking for a few minutes of time today (Friday) from Iowans with kids. Marvin Van Haaften, the director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, says today is “Take Five Iowa Day.” He says you’re encouraged to take five minutes and talk with your kids about the dangers of drugs. Van Haaften says grandparents can get into the act too, and it will make a difference. Van Haaften says kids who are warned about the dangers of drug abuse by their parents or grandparents are 50-percent less likely to experiment and use drugs than those who aren’t. Van Haaften says adults sometimes forget the simple things they can do to make an impact on kids. He says parents and grandparents look at you with renewed interest when you remind them of their influence. Van Haaften says his wife talked to their grandkids after he mentioned it to her. The former county sheriff says he learned the importance of parental role models as he talked with kids on the way to the juvenile detention center.He says one of the things he heard is that the kids wished their parents had devoted and paid more attention to them. He says it’s a message to all parents and grandparents in today’s busy world to take time to talk to your kids and grandkids. Van Haaften says talking about the dangers of drugs is something that’s easy to do.He says “just talk to them in a normal manage about the dangers.” For more information, surf to www.drugfreeinfo.org.
