Children trust McGruff the Crime Dog, characterized as an adult who cares about children and provides them helpful advice. Scruff, McGruff's nephew is characterized as a child figure and often gets into situations that children readers may have encountered or worried about involving alcohol and other drugs, gangs, and weapons. By remembering his uncle's good advice, Scruff is shown to be better able to handle the problems he encounters. This 2002 printing of the magazine offers children sound advice on places to go for help, places to avoid, ways to resist peer pressure, what to do if a weapon or drugs turn up, and how to turn to adults for help. Parents are encouraged to build upon the messages in the magazine by reading stories aloud or having the child read the stories aloud to them. Word games, hidden pictures, crossword puzzles, and other games enhance the messages using interactive play activities.