Celebrate Family Day Monday

[September 24, 2011]  Family Day is a special day to make a difference in your child's life. Observed on Monday, Family Day is a national movement that reminds parents about the importance of parental engagement in their children's lives and encourages parents that having frequent family dinners with their children is an effective way to prevent them from abusing substances. Family Day was created in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, known as CASA.

Research by CASA at Columbia University consistently finds that children who have frequent family dinners:

• Are at a lower risk for substance abuse compared with teens who dine with their families infrequently.

• Are less likely to have friends who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs.

• Are likely to get better grades in school.

This is compared with children who have infrequent family dinners (less than three per week). These children are:

• Twice as likely to use marijuana.

• Twice as likely to use tobacco.

• More than 1 1/2 times likelier to use alcohol.

It is never too early to start the tradition of regular family dinners with your children. Make dinnertime special by turning off the TV and not answering the phone during mealtime.

CASA research shows that teens are at a greater risk of substance abuse as they move from middle school to high school. It's especially important for you to stay involved in your children's lives during this time. Dinner is one way to make this happen during these potentially vulnerable years.

Whether you're cooking a gourmet meal or ordering from your favorite takeout place, know that the food isn't as important as you.

To download a free family dinner kit that includes fun activities, placemats and recipes, visit http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/ or use your smartphone to scan the code located on distributed fliers and table tents.

The Logan County Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force first promoted Family Day in 2008 and has continued to promote it in Logan County every year. Organizers thank Lincoln IGA, Kroger, Culver's, Wendy's and Domino's Pizza for their partnership with the task force to help spread the word about Family Day with fliers and table tents at their businesses.

[Text from file received from Camille Springer, Chestnut Health Systems, Logan County prevention coordinator and member of the ATOD Task Force]