Drug Prevention: Share a Meal with Your Child

VILLAS – Sharing a daily meal with your children can reduce the chances they will use drugs. Learn more by experiencing the “15 Minute Child Break.”
Lower Township and the Lower Cape Alliance are hosting a one-hour, interactive multi-media presentation entitled the “15 Minute Child Break.” The presentation will tell parents, grandparents and caregivers how to talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol.
The free program will be presented by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at Lower Township Hall, 2600 Bayshore Rd., Villas.
Inviting your child to dinner, in fact having just one meal a day with your child could decrease by two-thirds the likelihood your son or daughter will try marijuana. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) even having dessert with your child can decrease the chance the child will try drugs.
“It’s no secret that New Jersey is experiencing an epidemic of substance abuse,” said Lower Township Mayor Michael Beck. “Parents and grandparents are the first line of defense in protecting and grandchildren from this evil.”
Beck said parents had the choice of having an open and honest discussion with their child about drugs, giving them the armor to combat the temptation of substance abuse or there was a good chance their child would eventually be in the system.
“There are so many opportunities for a child to go the wrong way, you need to give them the information to make the right choice,” said the mayor.
Angelo Valente, executive director of PDFNJ, said the “15-Minute Child Break” stressed the importance of a parent or caregiver’s role on substance abuse prevention.
“This presentation is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to come out and find out the role they play and the power they have in preventing their children from abusing drugs and alcohol,” said Valente.
The program will also explain how to notice the signs of drug use, current terminology and trends of use. Participants receive age specific information and communication skills concerning substance abuse.
The PDFNJ offers a variety of free programs, services and materials. For additional information visit: www.drugfreenj.org.