As a Role Model For Our Children . . .

• Show our children that use of tobacco (including smokeless tobacco) should be avoided and discouraged. Tobacco use has specific health and social risks and may be illegal for young people. Nicotine is highly addictive. Also each year in the United States, more people die from tobacco related causes than all other drugs combined.
  
  
• Show our children that use of illicit drugs should be avoided and discouraged. In general, these drugs are illegal because of the serious risks associated with their use. Because they are illegal, the dosage and purity of illicit drugs is unpredictable, which increases health and social risks. Both possession and use also have significant legal and ethical risks.
  
  
• Exhibit role model appropriate use or non-use of alcohol and other drugs.
  
  
• Respect and affirm the rights of others to choose not to use moderately and appropriately. No one should be pressured to drink or use, or made to feel uneasy because of their personal choice and no one needs to justify their choice. However, it may be helpful under certain circumstances to share reasons for choosing not to use alcohol or other drugs.
  
  
• Talk to others when you are concerned about their use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
  
  
• Use teachable moments to discuss tobacco, alcohol, or other drug use or non-use.

"Even when I went to the playground, I never picked the best players. I picked the
guys with less talent, but who were willing to work hard, who had the desire to be great."
-- Earvin "Magic" Johnson, NBA Guard


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