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Starting a conversation about drugs, alcohol and gambling with your kids is not easy – but it's not as hard as you think. Use these “teachable moments” as a starting point, but develop your own: ° Point out drug, alcohol and gambling situations they may encounter hanging out with friends, at school or at parties. Use those situations to talk to them about the negative effects of drinking and gambling. ° Use newspaper headlines or TV news stories as a conversation starter. The newspapers are filled with stories that spell out the consequences of alcohol, gambling and drug abuse. Talk to your child about the choices these people made and how it affected their lives. ° Watch TV with your kids, and ask themwhat they think. Do the shows and advertising make drug use look acceptable and routine? Or do they show its downside? Also remember that talking about what your child learned in their classrooms at school about SAFE — is a great kickoff to discussion. For help with drug, alcohol and gambling problems call 24/7, 866-569-SAFE ext. 32 ALL CALL CONFIDENTIAL www.thesafefoundation.org For help with drug, alcohol and gambling problems call 24/7, 866-569-SAFE ext. 32 ALL C S CONF ENTIAL www.thesafefoundation.org ° Involve yourself in what- ever me ia your kids are exposed to, and ask them what hey think. Are they exposed to programs and advertising that make drug use look acceptable and routine? Eliminate and counteract such influences by explaining the reali- ties of such behavior. Also remember that talking about what your child learned in their classrooms at school about SAFE — is a great kickoff to discussion. Starting a conversation with your kids about hazardous behaviors is not easy– but it’s not as hard as you think. Use these “teachable mom nts” as a st rting point, but develop your own: ° Ask about situations they may encounter spending time with friends, at school or at social events. Use those situations to talk to them about the negative effects of drinking and gambling. ° Use newspaper headlines as a conversation starter. The news is filled with stories that spell out the consequences of alcohol, gambling and drug abuse. Talk to your child about the choices these people made and how it affected their lives.