RAVEN:
So, did you smoke pot?
MOM:
Yes, I tried it. A couple times, because friends of mine were doing it. But then I stopped because I decided that it just wasn't a good thing to do.
FREEZE
NARRATOR (V.O.):
It's important to make a distinction between past use or experimentation as an adolescent or young adult and current adult use. You should not divulge current use unless directly confronted by your child. You should seek help for yourself and the child in dealing with that type of situation.
UNFREEZE
MOM:
So what do you think. about me saying I used it but then stopped?
RAVEN:
Okay, I guess. I don't know.
MOM:
Well, one thing you should know is that I definitely do not want you to use alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or any other illegal drugs. I'm not going to give you a lecture about how bad they are for you-you probably learned a lot about them already in class. But I do want you to think about this: plain and simple, you don't need them. You have too much going for you. Drugs don't really help anything. They don't solve problems, won't make you popular, and they won't help you grow up strong and healthy. In fact, just the opposite can happen.
MOM GLANCES AT HER WATCH AS HER DAUGHTER BEGINS PROCESSING ALL THIS INFORMATION.
I tell you what, we can talk more about this later if you want. Okay?
RAVEN:
Okay
MOM:
It's getting late, though, so go ahead and get ready for soccer practice. Now that's something that makes you feel great about yourself, isn't it?
RAVEN:
Yeah
FREEZE ON A FINAL TABLEAU OF MOM AND DAUGHTER.
NARRATOR:
Obviously, this conversation can go many ways. But the point is to really listen. Make it clear that you value this child and that he or she has the right to talk with you about anything. And, make it clear that you do not want him or her to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.
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