Parents in Iowa are being encouraged to talk to their children for at least five minutes today about the dangers of using drugs. Peter Komendowski, president of the Partnership for a Drug-Free Iowa, says this is Iowa’s annual “Take Five Day.”
He says research shows teens who talk with a parent about the risks of drugs are 50% less likely to ever try illegal drugs. Alcohol and marijuana continue to be among the most abused drugs by teens, but Komendowski says kids are also experimenting with prescription drugs, so-called “synthetic” marijuana and other concoctions they believe to be safe.
“We’ll never stop the flow of the creative designer drugs that attack our children and the well-being of our communities,” Komendowski said. “We try hard, but we’ll never turn it all off until people stop using them. (Take Five Day) is part of a concerted effort to teach our children that these things are a tremendous risk and not to be fooled by some of the marketing ideas that these (drugs) are either fun or not dangerous.”
As part of the Partnership’s Take Five program, tip sheets for parents were sent home to parents of Iowa fifth graders. Free parent “pocket guides” are also available at Casey’s General Stores.