Drugs are not child’s play

　　6月26日是第19個國際禁毒日，其主題為“毒品不是兒戲”，旨在呼吁國際社會重視對少年兒童的反毒教育, 為他們提供健康的成長環境。

　　(Words: about 320; Time: 4 minutes)

　　The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,(犯罪) or UNODC, selected (選擇)“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. (為增加公眾對毒品危害的了解,和社會對兒童健康所應盡的責任而做出努力)和The latest statistics indicate (數據顯示)that 200 million people, or 5 per cent of the global population aged 15-64, have consumed (消費)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(濫用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受傷害的) 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(災難) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同齡人） 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 (論壇)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.(媒體,非政府組織和政府機構也包括其中)

　　consumed (消費)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(濫用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受傷害的) 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(災難) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同齡人） 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 (論壇)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.(媒體,非政府組織和政府機構也包括其中)

　　Help：

　　illicit adj. not allowed by laws or rules 違法的

　　vulnerable adj. able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked易傷的

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

　　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

　　6月26日是第19個國際禁毒日，其主題為“毒品不是兒戲”，旨在呼吁國際社會重視對少年兒童的反毒教育, 為他們提供健康的成長環境。

　　(Words: about 320; Time: 4 minutes)

　　The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,(犯罪) or UNODC, selected (選擇)“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. (為增加公眾對毒品危害的了解,和社會對兒童健康所應盡的責任而做出努力)和The latest statistics indicate (數據顯示)that 200 million people, or 5 per cent of the global population aged 15-64, have consumed (消費)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(濫用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受傷害的) 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(災難) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同齡人） 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 (論壇)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.(媒體,非政府組織和政府機構也包括其中)

　　consumed (消費)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(濫用) and trafficking （非法交易）. Street children, working and living in terrible conditions, are vulnerable,(易受傷害的) 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(災難) and are now cared for by uncles, aunts or grandparents. At school, the situation may not be any better. Teenagers and peers （同齡人） 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 (論壇)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.(媒體,非政府組織和政府機構也包括其中)

　　Help：

　　illicit adj. not allowed by laws or rules 違法的

　　vulnerable adj. able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked易傷的

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

　　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