Joseph A. Califano, Jr. is quoted as saying “America’s drug problem is not going to be solved in courtrooms or legislative hearing rooms by judges and politicians. It will be solved in living rooms and dining rooms and across kitchen tables – by parents and families.”
More than a decade of research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) has found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.
Family Day- A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children, is a national movement launched by CASA in 2001 that promotes frequent family dinners as a simple, effective way to prevent substance abuse in kids. This year's family day is Monday, Septmeber 28th.
Family mealtimes are important because children who do not eat dinner with their families are much more likely (61%) to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. We also know that teens who eat frequent family dinners are less likely than other teens to get into fights, be suspended from school, or engage in many other risky behaviors. By eating with your children, it is more likely that they will eat healthier foods and more balanced meals.
CASA is encouraging parents to become a family day “STAR” by committing to:
Spend time with your kids by having dinner together
Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol
Answer their questions and listen to what they say and
Recognize that YOU have the power to keep kids substance-free.
Join other families from all over the county n celbrating Family Day on September 28th by eating dinner together as a family. Then set a goal for your family that you will eat at least five meals together each week. The benefits of eating together will last long after your meal ends, espcially if you make family mealtimes a regular activity.
