I read awhile ago that students that had been involved with DARE (a drug-ed program for elementary school kids) were actually more likely to use drugs that those who didn’t. The article I read speculated that because the anti-drug message was reiterated more perhaps teens saw it more as a rebellion thing. 1) This is over-simplifying the reasons in a major way. 2) Many assume teens try drugs because of peer pressure (this is the message that was most strongly imposed on my classmates when I was in elementary school. And although peer pressure is a big factor (for example, if nobody at a party is drinking, the one person who is drinking by themself appears foolish) peer pressures is not the biggest factor, although I’m still trying to determine what is.
-An observation: Those in my high-school who do drink heavily and use drugs were the ones who got in trouble more in elementary and then middle school.
-Also anti-cigarette ads have been proven to be counter-productive, for example, there are those ads who’s slogan is, “Verb, its what you do.” Problem is to"light-up" is also a verb.
So my proposal is for the anti-tobacco groups to start running what appears to be real cigarette ads aimed at senior citizens. If it convinces senior citizens to smoke, well, they don’t have much time to live anyway, and if the reasoning that if old people do it, its not rebellious is true, then perhaps it will dissuade people from smoking. Any other suggestions are welcome.
-For those who are still reading, I point and laugh at you for wasting your time.
Actually, there is some sense in what you’re saying with the whole rebellion thing. My tenth grade english class was taken to an assembly the other day. The speaker was one of those old guys who thought he could act like a teenager (for example, he rapped) but who really just got laughed at. He was telling us not to drink or smoke. He was annoying me to the point that I really wanted to go grab a beer and a joint and go stand in front of him smoking and drinking ( and I NEVER smoke and rarely drink), just to spite him.
WARNING, ANGRY RANT:
Drugs are bad. I work with kids who have broken the law. If drugs aren’t directly responsible for them being locked up, then they were prenataly exposed to drugs and have organic defects to their minds. With some the parents are addicted to drugs or alchohol and have verbally, physically or sexualy abused their kids or neglected them.
I don’t have a solution. But the real pity is that it is not just kids doing drugs. There is a cycle that is killing them and IMNSHO, is why 80%-90% is people are locked up.
What we don’t need is the governments just throwing money at the problem. Making drugs look uncool is not going to work with a kids who is clinically depressed or being forced to go out and sell the stuff of be beaten.
I just wish families were given more of a priority all around. But in a world where media says rebellion is cool and one’s needs must be met right away I can’t see a solution.
Another story that I thought I might add, much less light-hearted than my other one:
A friend of mine has had some serious problems in the past. She’s tried just about every drug out there at some time or another. Her family doesn’t really love her (this is no exaggeration), although she tries to pretend like they do. She has this image of a perfect family in her head, and has almost managed to convince herself that that’s what her family is really like. Because of this lack of love and affection from her family, she has looked for comfort elsewhere, often in the wrong crowd.
Several years ago, she was a bit overweight. Even her father told her she was. Someone told her that speed would make her skinnier. She ended up in the hospital.
Now, she drinks but pretty much stays away from alot of it. She’s stopped smoking pot. However, there is still alot of pressure from other friends of hers to start again, and I don’t know how long she will be able to withstand it.
I am so worried about her that I don’t know what to do. She’s actually a lot like me in many ways, accept that I was raised in a caring environment and never felt that push to do drugs. I really don’t think she has the willpower to say no all the time. Although she knows what I think of it all, and partly agrees with me, I can’t be with her all the time to keep her from doing it.
Roadwalker:
You know, the second can be true without automatically leading to the first being true also.
My own theory is: don’t patronise. Don’t make up horror stories about drugs, because you eventually learn that these aren’t true, and then maybe all that other stuff about drugs isn’t true either. Just give the truth. Don’t hide anything, and emphasise moderation rather than abstinence.
I can say for me it was a drive to experience,no peer pressure involved.
I do not make up any of the case histories that I read. I will not back down on the fact that Marijuana, crystal meth, crack, and any other illegal subtance that is partly or completly responsible for these boys being in trouble is bad.
Talk abvout your freedom or moderation, but unless you can provide a real reason that these drugs are good, I will continue to draw from the evidence I work with every day.
People need not demonstrate that their actions are ‘good’ in order to carry out said actions.