If parents cut down drinking and taking tranquillizers there would be less drug abuse among their children, Dr. Reginald Smart, Research Director of the Addiction Research Foundation said recently.
He said that results of a foundation study released showed a 50 percent reduction in drug use by teenagers whose parents do not regularly use alcohol, tranquillizers and tobacco. "It appears that society is using too many drugs of all types," Smart told a press coference at the foundation's headquarters on Elizabeth St.
The study did not explore the possible harmful effects of drugs and made no specific recommendations. But Robert Robinson, Foundation Education Director, said there was a clear need for greater co-operation among school boards, adminsitrators, teachers and parents to discuss drug use with their children and make them aware of the dangers.
Robinson said society should not be allowed to "cop out" and pass on the responsibility to lawmakers, the foundation, the police or the LeDain Commission, a federal body examing non-medical use of drugs that has aready recommended an easing of laws on possession and use of marijuana and some drugs.
"It's up to us as parents and citizens to teach our kids about drugs and try to rationalize the laws on drugs with the social system which is resulting in greater drug use." he said.
THE TORONTO DAILY STAR
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