Pubdate: Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Source: Whitecourt Star (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 Whitecourt Star
Contact:  http://www.whitecourtstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/718
Author: Mariann McLaughlin

Why Are Drugs So 'Cool'?

Drugs in schools, drugs at home or drugs on the street.

Does this sound familiar, "Oh, my child doesn't do that."

Give your head a shake - providing once you take it out of the sand.

Sure, not all kids do drugs, but it seems today like there are more of them 
doing drugs than 20 years ago.

Instead of the stoners being the minority in a social group, sounds like 
the kids who aren't taking drugs are in the minority.

And why is that?

Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe you should ask your kids.

An actually, I did that.  It seems to be the "cool' thing to do. Please 
tell me, what's so "cool" about drugs?

I attended Motivational Media at Percy Baxter last week, which is program 
designed to appeal to teens while talking about the dangers of drugs, 
alcohol and not wearing the proper gear.  All the same messages from the 
local PARTY program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth).

The messages are good and powerful, but are they more powerful than a group 
of peers saying, "Do it or else."

Maybe my lingo is a little off, but you get the gist.

Drugs being cool is one of the most idiotic ideas I've ever heard of.

Sure, I drank when I was young, but not because someone told me to, but 
because I wanted to.  There is a difference.  I didn't go out and drink to 
be cool.  I did it with my friends for something to do.

I did have a few acquaintances that did drugs and when they got high, I 
would try to make them trip (which means lose their buzz and freak out).

I thought that by doing, maybe they would think twice before taking another 
hit of acid or smoking more hash.

Maybe my efforts were a little dumb, but behind it all I had good intentions.

Drugs don't make anyone cool - it's a belief within one's self and inner 
strength that makes someone cool.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom