You warn your kids not to run into traffic or touch poisons at home, but have you warned them not to use drugs and alcohol?

The number one source of anti-drug information for kids should be parents. Prevention

Specialist Barry Wolfgram of the Marshfield Clinic says parents shouldn't count on the information kids get in DARE or health class to be enough for life-long decisions about drug use. He says it's best to begin the conversation a little at a time when kids haven't even been exposed to drugs or alcohol.

Wolfgram says for young kids, it's black and white. If you don't want them to drink and drive then you can't have any alcohol yourself before driving, since they won't understand the .08 limit. Tell them that you don't believe it's okay for them to experiment and back it up with evidence that you won't support it.

"During family get-togethers, parents should never serve people under 21," says Wolfgram. "You practice that and they see that's important to you."

If they answer you at all, your children may argue that everyone is trying to drink or that marijuana is just a plant. That's when the parent has to be armed with facts.

As the drug topics get harder and you're dealing with teens, Wolfgram says you may want to practice in advance and don't be turned off if your kids don't respond, they're still listening.

Finally, when you can, back up your anti-drug stance with real world examples of how tobacco and drugs have hurt people or shortened the life of people they know.

Some Web sites for parents' reference:

www.theantidrug.com
camy.org
www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/alcoholdrug/index.htm