From http://www.newssun.com/Opinion/col-0620-lees

The significance of fathers

The below article about Father's Day was passed along to me from another coalition. I found some of the statistics very interesting. You may too ... especially the part about what children think their fathers believe about underage drinking.

Father's Day is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the many contributions fathers make in the lives of our individual families, our communities and in society as a whole. And while this special day is a chance for children to express their love and appreciation for their fathers, it is also an opportunity for dads to be reminded of the gift they can and should be giving to their children: their positive influence.

A father's positive influence not only strengthens a child's overall development, but significantly shapes a child's attitude, beliefs and behaviors when it comes to making decisions surrounding alcohol and other drug use.

In fact, a recent study highlights the extreme influence of fathers. According to the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents, it is shown that youths drinking behaviors are strongly associated with how children believe their fathers feel about their drinking. Youth who believe their fathers are "OK" with their drinking are two and a half times more likely to drink and get drunk in a typical month, than teens who believe their fathers strongly oppose their drinking.

While it may be surprising, among 12- to 15-year-olds surveyed, 5 percent of the girls and 9 percent of the boys believed their fathers are OK with their drinking. Among 16- and 17-year-olds surveyed, 13 percent of the girls and 20 percent of the boys believed their dads are OK with their drinking.

And when it comes to a father's expectations, a child will live up to it. According to Joseph Califano Jr. (author of 'How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid') parents who expect their children to drink, will have children who drink.

This Father's Day, we suggest to all dads: Make Your Voice Heard and Your Expectations Clear.

Dad to child: Because I love you so much and because I truly care about your safety, your health and your well-being, I want to remind you that I am very against you drinking and using any other drugs.

For additional information, visit Drug-Free Action Alliance's Know! Web site at HelpThemKnow.com

Debbie Lees is the Substance Abuse Response Guide (SARG) coordinator for Drug Free Highlands.