Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2006
Source: Express (Nelson, CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kootenay Express Communication Corp.
Contact: http://www.expressnews.ca/letters.html
Website: http://www.expressnews.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2339

CRYSTAL CLEAR A RURAL PERSPECTIVE

Long gone are the days where the use of drugs amongst teens stayed 
within the boundaries of that which could be picked directly from the 
earth.  Now drugs like crystal meth have taken hold, creating an 
entirely new generation of drug users to whom dabbling in other 
drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, is no big deal.  It is a sad fact 
that 15-year-olds know exactly where to get a big dose of 
brain-killing, mind altering substances, and it speaks to a 
generation that needs to re-educate its youth.

Kids can be brave, but overall, they're still kids.  They fall prey 
to peer pressure, and without a solid family backing them, they may 
miss out on imperative education provided to them at school.  It's 
unfortunate, but kids don't always think what they learn at school is 
cool.  Assemblies, classes, and important health talks can all be 
lost to the daydreaming teen who is more interested in what's going 
on in the back row, than what's being said by teachers and 
counsellors between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Know the kid you're dealing with and use his or her own vanity 
against them.  If you have a daughter or son who cares what s/he 
looks like, find graphic photos depicting what meth users end up 
looking like - it may be traumatizing, but it's better than losing a 
child. If you have a teen who is obsessed with becoming a policeman, 
a dentist, a photographer, find a  way to show them how using this 
drug will affect their ability to achieve.  It is time to stop being 
gentle with our youth.  If they are old enough to decide whether they 
want to try crystal meth, they're old enough to be shown the 
consequences, no matter how dramatic or traumatic it may seem.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine