Drugs are not child’s play

　　6月26日是第19个国际禁毒日，其主题为“毒品不是儿戏”，旨在呼吁国际社会重视对少年儿童的反毒教育, 为他们提供健康的成长环境。

　　(Words: about 320; Time: 4 minutes)

　　The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,(犯罪) or UNODC, selected (选择)“drugs are not child’s play” as the theme of its 2006 international campaign,in an effort to increase public awareness of the destructive power of drugs and society’s responsibility to care for the well-being of children. (为增加公众对毒品危害的了解,和社会对儿童健康所应尽的责任而做出努力)和The latest statistics indicate (数据显示)that 200 million people, or 5 per cent of the global population aged 15-64, have consumed (消费)illicit (不法的)drugs at least once in the last 12 months. But what about children?

　　Although they are seldom the object of national and international studies, children of all ages are affected by drug abuse(滥用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受伤害的) as are boys and girls whose family members are buying or selling illicit substances. These kids are exposed not only to bad examples but also to violent (暴力)behavior associated to drug abuse.In some instances, (例如)children have lost their parents to this scourge(灾难) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同龄人） may be pressuring kids to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol (酒精)at first, and then to try marihuana （大麻）. Other types of drugs may follow.

　　UNODC’s anti-drugs campaign urges(要求) adults to protect children. Parents, siblings （兄弟姐妹） and other family members can ensure that a child’s home is a safe environment and that children are aware of (知道)the dangers associated with drug abuse. Teachers and social workers also have a role to play by watching out for warning signs and taking measures to address any drug-related problems. For example, teachers can provide kids with information on the health risks linked to drug abuse and also give them a forum (论坛)to discuss the issue openly. Other individuals and organizations can and should also contribute to the protection of children. The media, non-governmental organizations and government institutions are among them.(媒体,非政府组织和政府机构也包括其中)

　　consumed (消费)illicit (不法的)drugs at least once in the last 12 months. But what about children?

　　Although they are seldom the object of national and international studies, children of all ages are affected by drug abuse(滥用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受伤害的) as are boys and girls whose family members are buying or selling illicit substances. These kids are exposed not only to bad examples but also to violent (暴力)behavior associated to drug abuse.In some instances, (例如)children have lost their parents to this scourge(灾难) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同龄人） may be pressuring kids to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol (酒精)at first, and then to try marihuana （大麻）. Other types of drugs may follow.

　　UNODC’s anti-drugs campaign urges(要求) adults to protect children. Parents, siblings （兄弟姐妹） and other family members can ensure that a child’s home is a safe environment and that children are aware of (知道)the dangers associated with drug abuse. Teachers and social workers also have a role to play by watching out for warning signs and taking measures to address any drug-related problems. For example, teachers can provide kids with information on the health risks linked to drug abuse and also give them a forum (论坛)to discuss the issue openly. Other individuals and organizations can and should also contribute to the protection of children. The media, non-governmental organizations and government institutions are among them.(媒体,非政府组织和政府机构也包括其中)

　　Help：

　　illicit adj. not allowed by laws or rules 违法的

　　vulnerable adj. able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked易伤的

　　scourge n. something that causes a lot of harm or suffering祸端

　　True (T) or False (F):

　　1. 5% of the global population have ever taken illicit drugs.

　　2. Some children can be the potential victims of drugs.

　　3. The protection of children mainly relies on the UNODC.

　　4. It seems that more children take drugs than adults do.

　　Key: FTFF