Letter: Manhasset Clergy Encourage Talking With Your Children About Prescription Drug Abuse

Friday, 22 October 2010 00:00

Last week clergy and laity representing eight local houses of worship met with representatives from the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA) and were confronted with a harsh reality: prescription drug abuse among our nation’s youth is at an all-time high, ranking just behind alcohol and marijuana abuse. As the clergy of your town, we wish to be of help.

The research is clear; parental involvement in your child’s school/community, as well as setting boundaries and monitoring behavior, are the keys to raising safe, healthy and drug-free children. Naturally actions speak louder than words, so we need to examine the kind of example we are setting.  Most importantly we need to talk and listen to our children. Just as we needed to teach them to tie their shoes and ride a bicycle, we need to teach them about the dangers of substance abuse, including prescription and over the counter drugs. These conversations should start when our children are young and continue until they are adults.

The Manhasset Clergy recognize that the discussion about the harmful effects of substance abuse cannot stop at any one door. We are pleased to collaborate with Manhasset CASA in their Lock Your Meds: Be Aware Don’t Share Prescription Drug Misuse Awareness Campaign, including the pharmaceutical take-back event this Saturday, Oct. 23. The campaign works in partnership with the entire community to provide information regarding the health and safety risks of prescription medication misuse with a primary focus on keeping prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals away from our youth.  Parent resources are available to you at CASA’s website at www.manhassetcasa.org.

We hope you will talk with your children about prescription drug abuse. A clear and consistent message at home will reinforce a child’s ability to make healthy decisions. The benefits from talking to your child can last a lifetime, and indeed make a lifetime last.

The Manhasset Clergy Association