The Question Of Teenagers And Drug Abuse Needs Our Undivided Attention
Drug use among teenagers has reached tragic levels. No matter how vigilant you are, your teens will definitely be exposed 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 perceive adults as old stupid people that don’t know their head from a hole in the ground. Adults, try as they may, face a bitter battle in safe guarding their kids 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 teenagers and drugs, you have to present a sound argument that differentiates between necessary medications and illegal drugs. This isn’t easy. Some well known prescription medications are being sold at school as a way to catch a buzz. Teens don’t realize that these prescriptions are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a method to control the use of specific narcotics. Without having experienced a legitimate need for such drugs themselves, they may well conclude that their parents are enjoying some high that they are somehow being forbidden.
Another problem with teaching children about the issue of teen drug use is that our society does not show any differences between drugs. Some pharmaceutical drugs are needed, but when it comes to teenagers and drugs, we say that every drug is bad. This is incorrect. Some teens require medications for actual problems. Not used as prescribed, that medication can produce a high in a kid who doesn’t need it. Sometimes, that drug can have lethal consequences when used as a ‘recreational’ drug.
Kids are not capable of making those distinctions. For example, a person with unbearable pain due to arthritis or cancer, may be prescribed codeine or another opiate to manage the pain. Children don’t comprehend that this person doesn’t get high. That pain killer only eases the pain. However, in the world of kids and drugs, this potentially dangerous drug becomes an opportunity toget a head change. They don’t realaize the difference.
One huge deception that encourages teenage drug abuse is the fable of weed. This street drug is made out to be the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same bag as meth and crack cocaine. The same houy that grade school kid tries marijuana, the child sees that even though it makes them feel good, they can hide this new habit from their parents and it doesn’t make them crazy. They come to the conclusion that the rest of the warnings about teenagers and drugs are deceptions. That’s the reason why they fall into the trap of the truly dangerous drugs.
As a society, we need to educate our teenagers. Explain the effects of drugs. Cocaine, crack, heroin and drugs like ‘ecstasy’ can ruin their lives or kill them. Tell the truth. We can help our kids.Addiction is a terrible problem in our society today but with the “proper” education we can teach our future generations the realities of addictions and drug abuse.
It is well known that drug abuse and addiction is a depressing scourge in our community, and the rising number of addicted young adults is unquestionably the most horrible facet of it....
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