The Question Of Teens And Drug Abuse Must Have Our Adamant Attention

Drug use among teenagers has reached tragic levels. It Doesn't matter how on top of it you are, your teenagers will definitely be exposed to drugs at school, the very place you think should be a safe environment. Mrs. Reagan's 'Just say no to drugs' campaign was a complete failure. The truth is that teens view adults as old stupid people that don't know their head from a hole in the ground. Parents, try as they may, face a bitter battle in safe guarding their kids from the devastating effects of drugs.

The battle is made tougher by the fact that most of us have prescription drugs in our cupboards. When confronting the issue of teens and drugs, you have to present a sound argument that distinguishes between necessary prescriptions and illegal drugs. This isn't easy. Some common prescription medicines are being sold at school as a way to catch a buzz. Teenagers don't realize that these medications are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a method to control the use of certain narcotics. Without having experienced a real need for such drugs themselves, they could well conclude that their parents are experiencing and liking some buzz that they are for some reason being denied.

Another problem with educating kids on the issue of teen drug abuse is that this society does not differentiate between drugs. Some medicinal drugs are needed, but when it comes to teenagers and drugs, we tell them that every drug is bad. This is incorrect. Some children require prescription medication for a legitimate condition. Not used as prescribed, that medication can get a kid high who doesn't need it. Sometimes, that drug can have disastrous consequences when taken as a 'recreational' drug.

Children are not able to make those distinctions. For example, a person with extreme pain because of arthritis or cancer, could be prescribed codeine or another opiate to ease the pain. Children don't understand that this person doesn't get high. That medication only eases the pain. However, in the world of teens and drugs, this narcotic becomes an opportunity toget high. They don't know the difference.

One huge deception that encourages teenage drug abuse is the fable of marijuana. This street drug is posited as the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same bag as pcp and crack cocaine. The minute that middle school child tries marijuana, the child sees that although it makes them feel good, they can hide this new habit from their parents and it doesn't make them crazy. They make the conclusion that the rest of the warnings about teens and drugs are deceptions. That's why they fall into the grip of the really dangerous drugs.

As a society, we need to teach our kids. Teach them the effects of drugs. Cocaine, crack, heroin and drugs like 'ecstasy' can devastate their lives or kill them. Tell the truth. We can defend our teens.Addiction is a serious problem in our society today but with the "proper" education we can teach our future generations the realities of addictions and drug abuse.