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Parents learn their role with Kids and Drugs

With the level of drug use in the area, parents in the MD of Bonnyville had a chance to get educated on issues affecting their kids. On Jan. 24 Cold Lake Victim Services Unit held their Kids and Drugs information session at Ardmore School.
Brenda Zimmerman speaks to the people attending the Kids and Drugs session at Ardmore School on Jan. 24.
Brenda Zimmerman speaks to the people attending the Kids and Drugs session at Ardmore School on Jan. 24.

With the level of drug use in the area, parents in the MD of Bonnyville had a chance to get educated on issues affecting their kids.

On Jan. 24 Cold Lake Victim Services Unit held their Kids and Drugs information session at Ardmore School.

The program teaches parents about their role when it comes to kids and drugs, along with ways to communicate with their children such as making an action plan.

“It was really good, I was very impressed. There was great interaction between the parents and they asked some really good questions about their kids and about talking to their kids about drugs. It went really good. They did an evaluation at the end and it came back really good too,” said Dave Zimmerman, from Cold Lake Victim Services.

This is the fourth presentation they have done in the area. In the past they've gone to the Elizabeth Métis Settlement, along with two on Cold Lake First Nations.

“You are your child's strongest role model,” said Brenda Zimmerman, who was one of four presenters. “I think that as our kids grow up, when they start thinking about and are exposed to drugs and alcohol they will be in their teen years. At that time you think maybe we've lost an influence over our kids but maybe we might confuse control with influence.”

The parents in attendance also filled out questionnaires to talk about the traits they most want from their children.

Dave feels that this presentation is a great way to teach parents how they can reach out to their children. It also shows parents the warning signs of what they need to speak with their children.

“I think it's important because you need to be prepared for your kids. There are drugs out there and there is negative peer interaction out there. You've got to make sure that you're touching base with your kids and you know where they're at.”

Dave added, “To know that there are dangers out there and knowing your child is making good decisions for themselves and connecting with them.”

One focus of Kids and Drugs is to give parents ways to deal with their children. It also shows them that a parent's actions will rub off on their child, no matter how old they are.

“As they grow up and they have friends, they are naturally supposed to be expanding their horizons and spending time with other people. We might feel like we're losing control but in essence we always have an influence over our children,” said Brenda.

They have one more session in February for people in Cold Lake. After that, the plan is to start bringing a similar presentation to students in schools.

“Cst. Travis Armstrong and Aux. Cathy Burke are going into schools next and talking to them about the dangers of drugs. They'll be talking about alcohol, marijuana, crystal meth and fentanyl,” explained Dave.

Both Armstrong and Burke gave their advice to parents at the Ardmore School presentation.

The next session will be held Feb. 21 at the Cold Lake FCSS. For more information, call 780-594-3302 ext. 3.

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