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The Question Of Teens And Drug Abuse NeedsOur Adamant Attention
Drug use among teenagers has reached tragic levels. No matter how on top of it you are, your teens are going to be introduced to drugs at school, the very place you believe to be a safe environment. Mrs. Reagan's 'Just say no to drugs' campaign fell flat on its face. The fact is that teens view adults as old stupid people that have never seen the outside of a paper bag. Adults, try as they may, face an uphill battle in protecting their young ones from the ravaging effects of drugs.
The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that most of us have prescription drugs in our bedroom drawers. When confronting the issue of teens and drugs, you have to give them a sound argument that differentiates between necessary prescriptions and illegal drugs. This isn't easy. Some well known prescription medicines are being sold at school as a way to catch a buzz. Kids don't know that these prescriptions are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a method to control the use of certain narcotics. Without having experienced a legitimate need for these drugs themselves, they could well come to the conclusion that their parents are experiencing and liking some buzz that they are for some reason being forbidden.
Another problem with educating children on the issue of teen drug abuse is that this society does not show any differences between drugs. Some medicinal drugs have a place, but when it comes to teenagers and drugs, we tell them that every drug is bad. This is a deception. Some teens require prescription medication for actual problems. Used improperly, that medication can child who doesn't need it. Sometimes, that drug can have fatal consequences when taken as a 'recreational' drug.
Kids are not able to make those distinctions. For example, a person with extreme pain because of arthritis or cancer, may be prescribed codeine or another opiate to help with the pain. Kids don't understand that this person doesn't get high. That pain killer only eases the pain. However, in the world of teens and drugs, this potentially dangerous drug becomes an opportunity toget a head change. They don't realize the difference.
One huge deception that encourages teenage drug use is the fable of weed. This street drug is made out to be the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same category as meth and ice. The minute that grade school child tries weed, the kid sees that although it makes them feel good, they can keep this from their parents for years and they never know the difference. They come to the conclusion that the rest of the warnings about teenagers and drugs are deceptions. That's why they fall into the trap of the extremely dangerous drugs.
As a society, we need to educate our children. Teach them the effects of drugs. Cocaine, crack, heroin and drugs like 'ecstasy' can ruin their lives or kill them. Be honest. We can defend our kids.Addiction is a terrible problem in our society today but with the "proper" education we can lead our teenagers away from the truth and consequences of addictions and drug abuse.
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