'97 Dog Licenses Now Available

Albert Mazetis 
January 24, 1997 
Albert Mazetis, 67, Of East Main Street, Larksville, Died Friday At The 
Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-barre.

Monday, January 27, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Start early to keep kids alcohol-free &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While the preteen and teen years often elicit rebellious behavior in
children, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; parents still can influence youngsters to ``Be Smart! Don't Start! Just Say &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No!'' to alcoholPeer pressure occurs long before the teen years: 30 percent
of 10-year-olds report they feel pressure to drink. Therefore the best time to
teach children to "Just Say No" to alcohol is in the preteen years -- before
the turbulence of adolescence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What can parents tell children about alcohol use? For one thing, it
adversely affects normal growth and learning during youth. A one ounce
alcoholic drink affects a child much sooner and harder than an adult and can
result in clumsiness, slurred speech, blurred vision, numbness, dizziness and
impaired judgment. Everyday tasks -- such as riding a bike -- become dangerous
as a result. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Peer pressure causes many children to experiment with alcohol, drugs or
tobacco. However, children need and want structure in their lives, despite
talk of independence. Parents should set firm yet reasonable rules. Here are
some examples: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Establish trust without becoming permissive. Let your children know you
trust them, and set clear boundaries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Forbid drinking by your children. Give them specific reasons for your
decision, and set a clear penalty for disobeying. Make sure the penalty is
appropriate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Enforce the rules and apply the penalty for disobedience. When applying the
penalty, criticize the action, not the child. If you don't follow through with
enforcement, chances are greater that the rule will be broken again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Help your children develop strong values. Knowing right from wrong helps
them resist peer pressure. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Know where your children are and have them attend only chaperoned events.
Phone ahead to see that an adult will be present. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Watch your children's spending. Provide an allowance and discuss (but don't
dictate) how the money is spent. Children with excessive incomes are more
likely to buy alcohol and drugs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Meet other parents in the neighborhood and school. Parents can work
together to plan activities and establish clear, consistent and fair rules.
Encourage your children's participation in constructive, yet enjoyable,
activities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Hanging out" can lead to trouble. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Actively love your children. Positive behavior is more likely when you
emphasize the things they do right. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Praise effort, not just achievements. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Give hugs! As a family, enjoy activities together to create a good bond
with your youngsters. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Make it easy for your children to talk to you. Don't make any subject "off
limits." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Try to avoid the common "parent pitfalls": being judgmental or
self-righteous, dispensing too much advice, having all the answers,
criticizing or ridiculing or treating a problem too lightly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parents need to be good role models if they choose to drink. For example,
it is a bad precedent to ask your child to "fix a drink or get you a beer."
It's also unwise to make light of getting drunk. Treat intoxication as
unacceptable even for adults. Also, demonstrate that there are ways to have
fun without drinking. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite parents' best efforts, some youngsters will develop a drinking
problem. How can you tell if your child has such a problem? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Experts agree that children who drink typically: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Miss school frequently or experience a drop in school performance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seem uncharacteristically withdrawn from family, friends or interests, and
have severe mood swings. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Become accident-prone, don't sleep well and don't feel good. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Start to lie and become secretive about their whereabouts and activities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Develop new sets of friends who you suspect drink, use drugs or seem
irresponsible. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Herbert M. Weinman of Dallas is a family physician and vice president of
Provider Services for Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Start Early To Keep Kids Alcohol-free 
While The Preteen And Teen Years Often Elicit Rebellious Behavior In Children, 
Parents Still Can Influence Youngsters To ``be Smart! Don't Start! Just Say 
No!'' To Alcohol.

Start Early To Keep Kids Alcohol-free While The Preteen And Teen Years Often Elicit Rebellious Behavior In Children, Parents Still Can Influence Youngsters To ``be Smart! Don't Start! Just Say No!'' To Alcohol.